Young Azkals vs Cambodia in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Dov Carino scored an equalizer near the final whistle as the Philippines stunned host Cambodia with a 1-1 draw on Tuesday in the men’s U-22 football competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
Carino came through for the Young Azkals when he headed the ball off a long ball in stoppage time, stunning a partisan crowd that were left disappointed with the result at Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
There was a massive celebration following Carino’s goal as coach Rob Gier’s side produced a point after the Philippines opened its campaign with a 3-0 loss to Indonesia last Saturday.
The Young Azkals, however, are in fourth place in Group A, trailing Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Cambodia is on top of the table with four points despite being held to a tie while Indonesia and Myanmar have three points apiece.
Next up for the Young Azkals will be bottom feeder Timor-Leste, which has lost its first two matches. The two sides face off on Thursday.
Ky Rina put Cambodia in front with his 26th-minute opener, and it appeared that the hosts were poised to take the full three points until Carino delivered the tying goal before the death.
Meanwhile, the Filipinas kick off their own campaign in women’s football on Wednesday, also in the Cambodia capital.
The match is set at 7 p.m. local time (8 p.m. Manila time) as the World Cup-bound side looks to improve on its bronze medal finish in Vietnam.