Philippines rallies to defeat Laos, 4-1, in Asean Football Championship-Hyundai Cup – BusinessWorld Online
THE Philippines needed a strong finishing kick to overcome a one-goal deficit and beat Laos, 4-1, to revitalize its bid in the Asean Football Championship-Hyundai Cup on Saturday in Vientiane.
Five days after a shocking 1-4 setback to Myanmar at home, the Filipinos stared at another potential disaster when the host Laotians drew first blood on a strike by Damoth Thongkhamsavath off a handling error by keeper Quincy Kammeraad at the seventh minute.
But it became a wake-up call that the charges of Carles Cuadrat answered.
Pouncing on advantage in numbers with Laos playing with 10 men following the 14-minute ejection of Phetdavanh Somsanid, John Lucero (47th), Jarvey Gayoso (60th) and Daisuke Sato (88th) took turns blasting it home to seal the turnaround and pick up the three points in Group B.
The visitors also gained from Viengxay Sydavong’s own goal at the 52nd minute, which actually put them ahead after the early scare.
“I am pleased the players were able to reverse the situation. They understood what we needed to do differently during the second half and we scored very quickly after the restart,” said Mr. Cuadrat.
“I am happy that we changed our fortunes,” added the Spanish mentor, whose troops face an acid test on Tuesday when they battle unbeaten Thailand (six points on 2-0-0) in Capas, Tarlac. — Olmin Leyba