AFF Suzuki Cup 2014: Philippines 4 Laos 1

It was the Azkals first win over Laos in the tournament and provided Thomas Dooley’s side with the perfect start to their bid for a third straight last four appearance.

Khampheng Sayavutth gave Laos the lead in the first half with Simone Rota and captain Phil Younghusband finding the target for the Philippines before substitute Reichelt grabbed a brace at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium.

Dooley said that he was happy to have won a difficult encounter.

“It was like we expected in the beginning that it would be a difficult game. Obviously we created a couple of chances, like four chances, before the first goal. That is going to happen and we just have to put one of those chances away,” he said.

“Overall, I think we had 25 minutes where we really struggled in the first half, but the rest of the game I think we created more chances and the victory was okay.”

Philippines were quick out of the blocks and striker Younghusband missed a great chance to open the scoring after just two minutes, pulling his shot wide with just goalkeeper Soukthavy Soundala to beat.

The Azklas kept up the fast tempo with Younghusband and Martin Steuble both going close.

Laos had shown little as an attacking force but took the lead in the 22nd minute with a spectacular free kick from Khampheng. The midfielder, who scored with an acrobatic overhead bicycle kick in this year’s AFC Challenge Cup, fired over the wall and saw his effort find the net via the bottom of the right hand post.

Jerry Lucena should have equalised in the 25th minute after Soukthavy spilled a cross at his feet but his scuffed shot was cleared off the line.

Philippines equalised in the 40th minute, defender Rota heading home a Manuel Ott corner.

On the stroke of half-time the Azkals took the lead, Younghusband nodding in his 41st international goal after good work down the left from Lucena.

In the first real action of the second half, Soukaphone Vongchiengkham sprinted clear down the left and Khampheng just failed to connect with his inviting cross.

Philippines added a third in the 77th minute, second half substitute Reichelt latching onto a through ball from Younghusband and slotting a low shot past Soukthavy.

With two minutes remaining, Reichelt added his second and the Philippines fourth to complete the rout.

Laos coach David Booth said he was disappointed with his young side’s performance especially their poor defending from crosses.

“Our worst fears were crosses as they were a lot taller than we were. Our idea was to try and stop crosses and corners, but unfortunately (they scored with) two free headers after we had gone in front,” he said.

“I am not satisfied with the performance and I thought we gave the ball away too much.”