Vietnam booters trip Azkals, take top spot

HANOI—Unable to recover from a lethargic start, the Philippine Azkals yielded to a determined Vietnam side, 1-3, last night and settled for second spot in Group A of the AFF Suzuki Cup at My Dinh Stadium here.

In a game it could afford to lose as they already clinched a semifinal place before the game, the Azkals came out with little drive and energy and conceded as early as the 10th minute as the Vietnamese finally got a measure of revenge for past losses to the Philippines.

With goalkeeper Patrick Deyto looking sluggish and the midfield seemingly running out of ideas, the Azkals were unable to replicate their memorable victory in the same stadium four years ago.

The result meant the Azkals will play the top team in Group B in the home-and-away semifinals with the first leg to be played in Manila on Dec. 6. The return leg will be on Dec. 10.

After finishing with seven out of a maximum nine points, Vietnam, on the other hand, will play the No. 2 team in Group B away starting on Dec. 7, before hosting the home leg on Dec. 11.

With Patrick Reichelt and Juani Guirado injured, coach Thomas Dooley was forced to make two changes to the starting eleven, bringing in Mark Hartmann up front and Rob Gier, who returned to assume the captaincy.

But while the Azkals saw plenty of the ball early on, there was rarely a cutting edge to their play, making it easier for the Vietnamese side to snuff out any danger.

It wasn’t until Vietnam scored its third goal when the Azkals finally woke up thanks to Paul Mulders, who directed Jerry Lucena’s low cross past the Vietnamese keeper in the 60th minute.

Meanwhile, the architect of one of the finest performances by the Philippines in a tournament in years, coach Thomas Dooley, stands to get a reward for his exploits here.

Azkals manager Dan Palami said he will recommend a contract extension for the German-American mentor whose deal with the Philippine Football Federation ends in February.

The Azkals have been in superb form in the AFF Suzuki Cup, clinching a semifinal berth with a game to spare after a pair of impressive victories over Laos and Indonesia.