Philippines lose to Thailand, face difficult semifinal path in Asean-Hyundai Cup
Key Takeaways
- •The Philippines lost 1-0 to Thailand after Waris Choolthong scored in the 84th minute at New Clark City Stadium.
- •The result left the Philippines with three points from one win and two losses in Group B.
- •Malaysia and Myanmar each have six points, while Thailand tops the group with nine points from three wins.
- •The Philippines must beat Malaysia by five goals in its final Group B match to improve its tiebreaker position.
- •The team also needs Myanmar to lose to Thailand to remain level on points in the qualification race.
THE Philippine men’s football team is in a difficult position in the race for the Asean Championship-Hyundai Cup semifinals after falling to Thailand, 1-0, on Tuesday night in Capas, Tarlac.
The Pinoy booters were unable to prevent Waris Choolthong’s winning 84th-minute header at New Clark City Stadium, leaving the Philippines on three points from one win and two losses heading into its final Group B match against Malaysia. The result also tightened an already crowded qualifying race, with only the top teams in the group moving on and tiebreakers likely to matter.
With Malaysia and Myanmar both already on six points, and Thailand leading the group with nine points from three wins, the Philippines would need to beat Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday by five goals to improve its chances of advancing in the event of a tiebreaker.
They would also need Myanmar to lose to Thailand in order to pull level with the Burmese on six points.
“We have to understand the situation. Our objective (against Thailand) was to secure at least one point (draw), which would have taken us to seven and left qualification in our hands against Malaysia. The situation is now more difficult,” coach Carles Cuadrat said.
“During the previous tournament, the Philippines qualified with six points, but that may not be sufficient this time because of goal difference,” added the Spaniard, whose side has a goal difference of minus 1 after two matches, compared with Malaysia’s plus 3 and Myanmar’s plus 7.
— Olmin Leyba
