Bjorn Kristensen reacts after scoring a goal for the Philippines men’s football team in an Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup game against Myanmar at Rizal Memorial stadium. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Philippine men’s football team salvaged a 1-1 draw with a disallowed goal aided by VAR and Bjorn Kristensen’s equalizer in the second half to open its campaign in the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup Wednesday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Kristensen scored off a penalty kick in the 72nd minute after getting fouled inside the box by goalkeeper Zin Nyi Nyi Aung as the Filipinos were able to split a point against the Burmese side that took the lead in the first half and appeared to have scored a second goal.
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Maung Maung Lwin scored in the 25th minute on a free kick while Lat Wai Phone looked like he had doubled the visitors’ lead in the second half.
But VAR technology disallowed that goal and the Philippines eventually capitalized by leveling things up on Kristensen’s score from the spot.
Philippine men’s football team playing in the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Coach Albert Capellas, however, rued the missed chances the hosts had afterward, including one header from Paul Tabinas near stoppage time as the national squad blew a chance to take the full three points.
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That would make the Philippines’ away match against Laos on Sunday in Vientiane a must-win scenario before heading back to Manila for Wednesday’s big matchup against Vietnam, the favorite to top Group B.
Indonesia, which is fielding a relatively young roster, will play the Philippines at home in Surakarta on Dec. 21.
The top two teams in the group will advance to the knockout semifinals, which the Philippines has not reached since 2018.
The Philippines will be left to regret ending up in a tie despite having 61 percent of possession and having 22 shots, eight on target.
Some miscues at the back allowed Myanmar to regain possession, and Philippine defender Enrique Linares committed a foul, resulting in the home team falling behind.