Dennis Chung (center, shirtless) of the Philippines is mobbed by teammates after scoring against Cambodia during their first round Group A football match at the 2019 SEA Games (Southeast Asian Games) in Manila on November 25, 2019. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Teenager Dennis Chung struck a late equalizer as the Philippines salvaged a 1-1 draw with Cambodia Monday night in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
The 18-year-old Chung, who plays for Zehlendorf, came off the bench to fire home the goal that lifted the spirits of the Filipino crowd at Rizal Memorial Stadium and saved the Young Azkals’ blushes.
The result paved the way for a four-team tie in Group A with Malaysia and Myanmar also battling to a 1-1 stalemate early Monday.
Keo Sokhpeng opened the scoring for the Cambodians with a 41st minute strike as the Filipinos got off to an uninspired start.
But coach Goran Milojevic’s side returned to the pitch with renewed confidence after the restart, slowly but surely imposing their will on the Cambodians.
Skipper Stephan Schrock, sub Christian Rontini and Dylan De Bruycker all came close to levelling the score, but it wasn’t until the third minute of stoppage time when Chung rose to the occasion.
Schrock played a quick combination with Yrick Gallantes, who teed up Chung to fire past Keo Soksela. The crowd of almost 3,000 exploded in delight as the Young Azkals finally got on the board after a nervy start to the match.
The Filipinos however have their work cut out for them as they look for their first win on Wednesday this time against Myanmar, which took the lead against Malaysia only to fade late in the match.