MANILA, Philippines — Just like its opening match at home, the Philippines settled for another disappointing draw against an opponent it was supposed to beat.
Laos forced the Filipinos to a 1-1 tie last night at the Laos National Stadium in a result that jeopardized the visitors’ semifinal drive in the Asean Championship-Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
Sandro Reyes’ left-footed goal in the 77th minute averted a complete disaster for the Pinoy booters after Michael Baldisimo sent his headed clearance off a Laos corner into their own net in the 25th minute.
The deadlock, which followed a similar outcome and scoreline against Myanmar last Wednesday in Manila, put the Philippines at two points in Group B behind Indonesia (four points on a 1-1-0 win-draw-loss card) and Vietnam (three points on 1-0-0).
Laos also carries two points on a pair of draws but trails the Pinoy booters on goal difference (-3 versus the latter’s 0 GD).