Azkals fall to Myanmar in Peace Cup final

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines yielded the 2014 Peace Cup title to Myanmar, 2-3, in extra time Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Azkals took a 2-1 edge after goals by Daisuke Sato in the 50th minute and Phil Younghusband in the 70th but gave up three goals the rest of the way.

Myanmar, which opened up the scoring less than 10 minutes into the match, equalized in stoppage time to forge the extension where the Burmese scored the winner courtesy of striker Soe Min Oo.

The Philippines dominated Chinese Taipei, 5-1, last Wednesday to make the final but couldn’t defend its title against Myanmar.

Myanmar overwhelmed Chinese Taipei, 4-1, to book a slot in the finals.

This is the first time that the Burmese won against the Filipinos. The Azkals triumphed in their first two meetings, including a 2-0 victory at the AFF Suzuki Cup in Bangkok two years ago.

But the Burmese side now has Serbian coach Radojko Avramovic, who is familiar with the Philippine side. The Serbian plotted the elimination of the Azkals while handling Singapore two years ago in the Suzuki Cup semifinals.

RELATED STORY

PH Azkals stake Peace Cup against Burma tonight