By Angel Joyce C. Basa and Leiniel A. Santos

Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) endured their third consecutive draw as the top-seeded Vietnam took a decisive goal at the final extra minute of the game, 1-1, in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 yesterday, December 18, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

As the PMNFT started the match with the first ball possession and had an opening to go near their goal, Vietnam instantly built up their defense to keep the Philippines from having their first goal attempt.

Vietnam then had their first attempt in the fourth minute of the game, but the shot was too high from the box.

During the 28th minute, former Tamaraw defender Amani Aguinaldo was subbed in for Kike Linares to add pressure to their opposing team’s offense.

The PMNFT managed to gain a thin lead in ball possessions in the first half with 53 percent against Vietnam’s 47.

However, the red shirts had more shot attempts as they executed five with 33-percent accuracy against blue shirts’ two.

After a slow first half, the Filipino squad endured more attempts from the Vietnamese side in the 57th and 61st minutes from Bùi Vi Hào and Vu Van Thanh, respectively.

At the 66-minute mark, the Philippines’ Jarvey Gayoso was subbed in for Bjørn Kristensen and within two minutes of coming in, secured a goal from the center box to the bottom right corner at 68 minutes, 1-0.

Four attempts by Vietnam answered the Philippines’ goal and on the fifth attempt by Doãn Ngoc Tân at the seventh minute into the extension, the top-seeded team tied the match at 1-1.

During the post-game conference, PMNFT head coach Albert Capellas expressed how he felt about losing the match after gaining an advantage in the second half.

“I’m very sad for the players because I feel with the three games, we deserve more every game and I’m very sad for them because I know how they trained, I know how much [they] fight for the national team, I know how much they wanted this win that I think we deserve it,” he stated.

Capellas also acknowledged how close the fight was between the two teams, but when asked about his thoughts on the team’s mistakes and lapses in the field, the head coach answered that he will never blame a player for their mistake.

“Who[ever] doesn't play, doesn't make mistakes. Football is a game of mistakes. I blame the players who [don’t] want the ball, I blame the players who don't fight, I blame the players who [don’t] feel the shirt, and the player who make[s] a mistake, they would have me on their side always,” he added.

With both teams securing a goal, Vietnam secured a slot in the semifinals while the four-seeded Philippines awaits their final shot for the semis against Indonesia on Saturday, December 21, at Stadion Manahan in Surakarta, Indonesia.

(Photo courtesy of the ASEAN United FC)