MANILA, Philippines - After getting sideswiped by the high-powered heavies in the 2013 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Championship in Bangkok, upstart Philippine Muzang hope to use the experience to learn and get better as they strive to progress.
“We ended the AFF Futsal tourney with one win and three losses. We wanted to give our country the victory. But we failed. We are sorry,†the team posted on its Twitter account.
“Considering we only finalized our lineup a day before our flight to Bangkok and we do not even have a futsal court for the national team yet, we are still positive that we have accomplished a lot in this endeavor,†it added.
The Muzang wound up fourth out of five nations in power-packed Group A with three points as heavy favorite and host Thailand (12) and No. 2 Vietnam (9) snagged the two semis berths at stake in the group. Malaysia (6 points) was third in the bracket.
The Pinoy booters extracted the full points from group last-placer Brunei in a 5-3 opening-day win that actually momentarily put them at the top of the table.
It was harsh reality check from there. The Thais, eight-time champs of the tourney and No. 17 in the world rankings, handed the Muzang a 1-20 spanking, then the Vietnam, another heavyweight, dealt Phl a 1-10 beating afterwards. Malaysia ended the Pinoys’ campaign with a 17-2 disposal.
Their tormentors Thailand, meanwhile, nipped Indonesia in the semis, 10-4, to book the first finals berth.
Group B topnotcher and newest AFF member Australia forged a title duel with the Thais via a 6-1 disposal of Vietnam in the other Final Four showdown Friday night.