MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine football team had eight scoring opportunities near the mouth of the goal but flubbed it all and settled for a draw with lowly Myanmar at the close of eliminations in the Southeast Asian Nation Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup at the Hien Troung Stadium in Nam Dinh, Vietnam.
Vietnam beat Singapore, 1-0, to clinch the top spot in Group B, and will next go up against Malaysia, second-placer in Group A, in the home-and-away semifinals.
With the draw, the Filipino Azkals, powered by Ian Bayona Araneta and Phil Younghusband, finished second in Group B with five points on one win (2-0 over Vietnam) and two draws (with Singapore and Myanmar).
Defending champion Vietnam topped Group B with six points on two wins and one loss, while three-time titleholder Singapore was out of the semis with four points on 1-1-1 win-draw-loss slate. Myanmar finished with one point.
The Phl Azkals had several excellent scoring chances, but the goalpost proved uncooperative on several occasions.
Myanmar controlled possession and appeared more dominating in the early going, but the Filipino 11 began to gain in confidence as they mounted counter-attacks that produced the more dangerous attempts at goal.
The second half was played at a more fluid pace, with the Philippines gaining much ground with their counter-attacks, resulting in several corner kicks that had potential winning chances.
But it was not to be, with several attempts by spirited forward Araneta hitting the goalpost.
Now the Philippine side faces the tougher match-up in Group A kingpin Indonesia, the powerhouse of the tourney thus far with victories in three matches in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The national team, however, could end up playing the semifinal round on local soil.
Philippine Olympic Committee chair Monico Puentevella said he will submit an official proposal soon to the AFF hoping to get the Filipinos’ semis match at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.