The Philippines’ Patrick Reichelt tries to beat Vietnam’s Do Duy Manh during their FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers match Thursday night. PFF photo
Vietnam in dramatic win vs PH
THE Philippines was denied a well-earned draw at the My Dinh National Stadium, as Vietnam scored in deep stoppage time to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win in the joint FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Thursday night.
Patrick Reichelt and Kevin Ingreso were the Filipino goal scorers in what was a pulsating affair in front of 11,658 fans in the same site where the team formerly known as the Azkals pulled off “The Miracle of Hanoi” in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.
The Philippines, however, suffered a heartbreak as coach Tom Saintfiet’s side is officially out of the running for qualification for the World Cup in 2026.
Substitute Tuan Hai Pham gave the Golden Star Warriors full points after drilling in the late winner that left the Filipinos stunned.
“I think the boys deserved a draw,” said Saintfiet after the match. “We need to learn from this.”
The Philippines will next play Indonesia at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Tuesday to round out its World Cup Qualifying campaign.
The match looked destined for a draw when Ingreso rifled in a spectacular volley to level the score in the 89th minute.
Despite fielding seven players under 25, including five debutants, the Filipinos looked more composed and dangerous than the Southeast Asian giants.
Reichelt finished off a blistering counter attack to open the scoring in the 62nd minute – his 16th international goal for the Philippines.
The lead only lasted four minutes, however, with Tien Linh Nguyen firing in from close range.
Tien Linh Nguyen then headed in a second for Vietnam to take the lead with 15 minutes remaining before Ingreso produced the equalizer.
“In the first half Vietnam had more ball possession, but we were more dangerous with our counter attacks. I think the best result for both would’ve been a draw, so I’m very disappointed,” said Sainfiet.
“Naturally I think Vietnam is a good team, but I’m also very satisfied with performance of my team,” he added.
Iraq, which defeated Indonesia, 2-0, in Jakarta, has already advanced into the third round with a maximum of 15 points in Group F.
The Garuda are still in second place with seven points but are only one clear of the Golden Star Warriors, who now have six in third spot.
The Filipinos remain at the bottom of the group with a point to show.
The Philippines has lost its last six matches against Vietnam. The Filipinos’ last victory over the Golden Star Warriors was in the AFF Suzuki Cup group stage in Bangkok on Nov. 27, 2012, a 1-0 win courtesy of a Chieffy Caligdong goal.
Match Tuesday;
(Bung Karno Stadium Stadium)
8:30 p.m. (Manila time) — Indonesia vs Philippines
