Azkals take on Myanmar in second game in SEAG
By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Philippine Men’s Under-22 football team treks back into action in group play at the 30th Southeast Asian Games today against Myanmar at 4 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
Fresh from their hard-earned 1-1 draw with Cambodia in their Group A opener on Monday, the young Azkals look to build on the momentum they got in their first game and notch a victory in their match versus Myanmar to pad their push in the biennial regional sporting meet.
Eighteen-year-old substitute Dennis Chung turned out to be the hero for the Philippines as he punched through the equalizer in added time that allowed the Azkals to pull even and force the draw.
Already staring at a defeat as the clock ticked away, Filipino-Chinese Chung sent the Azkals and hometown fans into celebration when he connected in the 93rd minute of the contest.
Veteran Stephan Schrock, one of two overage players of the team, the other being defender Amani Aguinaldo, started the game-tying play for the Philippines by weaving through the defense of Cambodia before sending a pass to teammate Yrick Gallantes.
Mr. Gallantes then tap the ball to the direction of Mr. Chung, who immediately gathered himself and sent the ball past the Cambodian goalkeeper for the tie.
The two teams tried to get the go-ahead after but were unsuccessful in it, eventually settling for the draw and getting a point each for their efforts.
“I congratulate the players and the staff. I’m pleased with the way they played today. We were close to winning the match against a good team like Cambodia,” said Philippine team coach Goran Milojevic, whose team played catch-up after Cambodia scored the first goal of the match in the 40th minute care of Keo Sokpheng.
Mr. Milojevic praised the efforts of Messrs. Schrock and Aguinaldo in the team and underscored that they will play a vital role in their quest to go as far as they can in the tournament.
“Schrock and Aguinaldo are important for us. They lead them with their quality of play and they are some best in the game we have here,” Mr. Milojevic said.
Out to frustrate the Azkals, meanwhile, is Myanmar, who was also in a 1-1 draw in their opener on Monday against Malaysia.
Playing as well today is Cambodia and Timor-Leste in Group A at 8 p.m. in Rizal Memorial.
