After dropping their first two games and losing contention to proceed to the next stage of the competition, the Philippines U-23 squad thought they were going home with the win against Laos but the opposition had different plans in mind.
FT: LAO 🇱🇦 3 – 2 🇵🇭 PHI
Laos end their #AFCU23 qualifiers campaign on a high note after a win over the Philippinesin Group J! pic.twitter.com/CT2pBalvqW
— AFC (@theafcdotcom) March 26, 2019
It was Ateneo De Manila University’s standout man Jarvey Gayoso who put the young Azkals at the driver’s seat after 11 minutes into the match with his left boot after receiving a headed pass from Kyle Magdato before slotting in the penalty on the 33rd minute.
GOAL PHILIPPINES! @JarveyGayoso scores against Laos @ the AFC U-23 qualifiers in Malaysia. 1-0 @TeamAMDG pic.twitter.com/XEQem3lu8B
— Sabrina Gayoso (@sabgayoso) March 26, 2019
Heading into the half-time, the boys in blue have a commanding lead over Laos who also looked for a win in the tournament. There were some moments of danger particularly on the 63rd minute of the match when an attack from Laos on the left side saw the young Azkals’ defence vulnerable. The attacker almost made his way around the defence and the keeper Michael Asong but Banjo Mahinay was there to clear out the attack.
AFC U23 Championship
Philippines 2-0 Laos after 65 mins@JarveyGayoso two goals !— Filipino Football (@filipinofootbal) March 26, 2019
The hard work paid off for the boys in red on the 74th minute when Kaharn Phetsivilay dribbled past the defence before placing the ball past Asong to have at least a say into the match. The game then sprung back into life as Tiny Bounmalay blasted it past Asong to score the equalizer on the 88th minute after the scramble inside the box.
Laos continued to press on the young Azkals’ defence looking for any stray passes and players out of their position. They’ve then got the winning goal on the 92nd minute when Bounphachan Bounkong received a lovely pass from Phoutthasay Khochalern which went past William Grierson. All he had to do then was to tap it past the keeper to score the winner.
It was rather a devastating result for the boys in blue as they’ve led for most of the match only to concede three late goals to go home winless with a staggering -12 in goal difference. The Philippines will now go back to the drawing board and look into what needs to be done to reinforce our youth football system.
Photo by: pff.org.ph
