U-23 Azkals absorb 2nd straight defeat in SEA Games football
SINGAPORE — The Philippine U-23 Azkals absorbed their second straight defeat, this time bowing to an exuberant Cambodian side, 3-1, Wednesday night in the Southeast Asian Games at Jalan Besar Stadium here.
It was big blow to the national bid to make the semifinals of the tough tournament as the Filipinos need to win all three remaining games in Group A that also includes Indonesia and Myanmar. They play Myanmar on June 7.
“The chances of making the semifinals is very slim now,” said PH coach Marlon Maro who was part of the team that last made the semis of the SEA Games in 1991.
“But we will continue to play better in very match,” added Maro who lauded his team for “overcoming their fears” in the second half even though they were down 2-0.
Forward Frak Mony Udom broke the ice for Cambodia in the 29th, firing from the left flank off a cross. That also culminated Cambodia’s continuous attacks that put PH goal keeper Florencio Badelic Jr. on his feet all night long.
A lean crowd was at the stadium but most of them were Filipinos supporting the Azkals U23. But the Azkals defense was too low, back line committed too early and they could hardly get the ball behind enemy lines.
“Cambodia played well tonight because we allowed them space,” said Maro.
In the 41st, Keo Sokpheng pushed the Azkals deeper into trouble with another goal as the opponents went into halftime break holding a 2-0 lead.
“In the second half, I think we played better than Cambodia, it just so happened we didn’t convert our chances. If we did, I think we could have changed the outcome of the match.”
True enough, they played more dynamic in the second half, controlling the pace and having the possession most of the way.
Paolo Salenga of National University slammed the country’s first-ever goal of the tourney, a short punch by the goal mouth in the 53rd to give hope for the Filipinos.
But it was dashed completely in the 80th when Chan Vathanaka bore another goal off a counter, and celebrated by some shadow punching that delighted a packet of Cambodian fans.
