Azkals coach on loss to Thailand: ‘The penalty was very dubious’

Thailand vs Philippines in the AFF Suzuki Cup. AFF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Azkals coach Stewart Hall cried foul over the penalty whistled on Amani Aguinaldo in their crucial AFF Suzuki Cup match Tuesday night.

The penalty led to the match clincher by Teerasil Dangda in the 78th minute that sealed the Philippines’ fate.

“The penalty was very dubious,” said Hall in the post-match presser.

“Obviously, it’s the deciding factor. I’d like to see it a few times. But my players were not happy about the decision and from where I looked, it was very, very innocuous.”

The loss booted the Azkals out of semifinals contention.

Dangda, the Thai skipper, finished with a brace after scoring the opening goal in the 26th.

Patrick Reichelt knotted the count in the 57th which would’ve been enough for the Philippines to stay in the hunt for a semis spot had it not been for the controversial penalty.

The Azkals play Myanmar on Saturday to end their campaign.