Kevin Ingreso fights off the challenge of two Vietnamese players in their match last Thursday night.—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/LAGARDERE SPORTS
HANOI—There have been tougher defeats in recent years, but for the Philippines, the semifinal exit in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup had a familiar feeling that came with the result.
Vietnam was a different opponent from the Azkals’ three previous trips to the knockout stage, but the outcome remained the same for a side that will now have to wait two more years for a crack at Southeast Asian football’s biggest prize.
The period of evaluation will be quick with focus shifting immediately to the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates a little less than a month away.
But as far as the players are concerned, this year’s Suzuki Cup, with its new home-and-away format, should serve as an example that nothing less than the best preparation and the best ways to lessen the stress of traveling from one country to another should also be a priority.
“The players gave everything on the pitch tonight,” Azkals skipper Phil Younghusband told the Inquirer as he slowly walked to thank the Filipinos who showed up at My Dinh Stadium to support the team.
“We expect to always be playing in these type of games. But if we want to take the next step, we have to be better in all aspects. The support has to improve. The quality of the team can only get us so far.”
As the Vietnamese celebrated on the streets of Hanoi, waving flags, blowing horns and dancing to disco beats, following the home side’s 2-1 victory late Thursday night in the second leg, completing a 4-2 aggregate win, the Azkals were left to ponder what might have been in their hotel near My Dinh Stadium.
The Azkals entered the tournament determined to at least reach the finals after getting to the semifinals in three of the last four editions of the Suzuki Cup.
“The players left it all on the field, they can’t complain about that,” said defender Carlie de Murga. “It’s really hard to play like this after so many travels and changing hotels.”
The Vietnamese also took the physicality to the Azkals, one of the perceived strengths of the Filipinos in the region. A 2-1 win at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City last Sunday left the Azkals needing to replicate the Miracle in Hanoi eight years ago.
But Vietnam also showed it was incisive and clinical when it mattered. The Azkals held their ground until the last 10 minutes when they conceded twice in quick succession, allowing the Vietnamese to seal the win before James Younghusband, playing his 100th match for the country, scored a consolation goal a minute from time.
“Obviously, we are all disappointed with the final result but every player really stepped up and played their hearts out,” said James.