Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 20) – The young Philippine Azkals delivered the much-needed goals in the second half in their 2-1 victory over Brunei Darussalam in their final ASEAN Football Federation Under-23 Championship game on Sunday at the Morodok Techno National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
After a scoreless first half, the Filipinos showed they want the ball more in the next 45 minutes by being more aggressive in their attacks inside the box.
The opportunity came when they gained a corner in the 47th minute, when the ball slipped from the hands of Brunei goalie Abdul Mutalip Hj Mohammad and Filipino midfielder Dennis Chung received it from a scramble play to score the maiden goal.
Former FC Barcelona Youth Academy standout Sandro Reyes followed suit in the 57th minute as he completed the Philippine side’s set piece and converted the ball off a backward pass from striker Andres Aldeguer.
The celebration for the young Azkals was only short lived when Brunei midfielder Muhammad Hakeme Yazid Said scored the goal from a right outlet pass, as the ball went into the opposite defensive direction of Azkals goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang.
The Stewart Hall-mentored Azkals exerted more defensive pressure on their opponents to prevent another draw result and clinch their lone win in the tournament.
Despite the victory, the young Azkals failed to progress into the semifinals after Timor Leste defeated Cambodia, 1-0, in the other Group A fixture.
Timor Leste topped Group A with seven points and will proceed to the semifinals, while Cambodia placed second with six points and may possibly earn a semifinals ticket.
The Philippines finished in third place of Group A with four points.
