ASEAN MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CUP™ – REPORT: PHILIPPINES 1-1 VIETNAM
Manila: Vietnam rescued a late point away to the Philippines at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, with Doan Ngoc Tan canceling out Javier Gayoso’s 68th-minute strike deep into second-half stoppage time.
The Philippines were agonisingly close to a famous win over Vietnam, one which would have taken them up to second in Group B and with their ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 semi-final destiny in their own hands.
Gayoso broke the deadlock, hammering home from the edge of the box in the 68th minute. The Golden Star Warriors had battled on all evening but had struggled to break a dogged Philippines side down. But then, in the 97th minute, Ngoc Tan ensured the spoils were shared and for now top spot remains Vietnam’s.
The Philippines got the match underway and started confidently with some sharp passing. But Vietnam’s first break forward caused the hosts some issues with Enrique Linares fouling Bui Vi Hao in the left channel. Nguyen Quang Hai’s shot went way over the bar but it was an early warning sign with Vietnam showing their pace down the left.
A couple of minutes later it was the Philippines’ turn to show how dangerous they can be down the left. Vu Van Thanh, unable to catch Javier Mariona, conceded the free-kick in a dangerous area. Michael Baldismo’s cross was put out for a corner and for another chance for the hosts but Michael Kempter’s shot went over the bar.
In the ninth minute, Vietnam thought they’d been awarded a penalty with Adrian Ugelvik appearing to have brought down a galloping Van Thanh, but a VAR review showed that there was no contact and the match resumed.
Arguably Vietnam’s best chance fell in the 25th minute with Ugelvik being deceived by the bounce of the ball, allowing Dinh Thanh Binh an opportunity to turn and shoot but goalkeeper Patrick Deyto pulled off a stunning save down to his left.
The Philippines registered their best chance on 36 minutes when Sandro Reyes ventured forward and found himself with space opening up in front of him but his left-footed shot sailed just wide of the post.
Just before the interval, the Philippines had the ball in the back of the net through Bjorn Kristensen but the powerful striker was adjudged to have fouled Bui Hoang Viet Anh in the process and the goal was chalked off, sending the two teams in at the break at 0-0.
Exactly on the hour mark Vietnam came as close as they possibly could without scoring when Van Thanh rattled the woodwork with a venomous strike from just outside the area.
In the 68th minute, the Philippines took the lead. A long ball over the top into the right channel was headed into the path of Javier Gayoso who, on as a substitute, used his body to wriggle away from the defender before crashing the ball into the back of the net.
Vietnam, sensing the urgency, began getting a touch desperate and began to throw everything at the Philippines in stoppage time. Their persistence paid off in the 97th minute when Ngoc Tan found space at the back post to nod the ball home.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Philippines and sheer relief for Vietnam who will see out their group stage campaign out at home to Myanmar on Saturday, while the Philippines will conclude theirs away to Indonesia on the same day.
