Asean Cup: PH concedes late goal to Vietnam, settles for draw anew

Jarvey Gayoso scores a goal for the Philippines against Vietnam in the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Victory eluded the Philippine men’s football team yet again after conceding a late goal that led to a 1-1 draw with Group B leader Vietnam in their Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup match Wednesday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Filipinos were a clearance or two away from securing the full three points before a crowd of 3,346 when Doan Ngoc Tan scored an equalizer that left coach Albert Capellas’ side with another heartbreaking result.

READ: Hope floats for PH Asean Cup bid despite ‘step backward’

Substitute Jarvey Gayoso had earlier put the Philippines ahead on a left-footed goal in the 68th minute, and it appeared that the scoreline would stand with many stops at the back, including one from goalkeeper Patrick Deyto.

Instead, the Philippines drew for the third time to go three points and will need to beat Indonesia in its final group assignment Saturday in Surakarta.

Vietnam qualified to the semifinals with seven points while Indonesia is level with Myanmar at four points apiece. The top two teams in the group advance to the semis.

READ: Asean Cup: PH ends with another draw, this time vs Laos

Myanmar earlier defeated Laos, 3-2, and is also in a must-win scenario against Vietnam.

The Philippines had plenty of close calls in the first half, with one penalty call nine minutes in overturned through VAR.

Dinh Thanh Binh almost got Vietnam ahead in the 25th on a counterattack but his shot was stopped by Deyto.