Losing start for misfiring booters

MANILA, Philippines — Failure to cash in on its scoring opportunities bit the Philippines in the end as it dropped a close 0-1 loss to Vietnam at the start of the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup Saturday in Indonesia.

Nguyen Dinh Bac’s right-footed strike in the 25th minute proved enough for the Vietnamese to get the maximum three points against the misfiring Filipinos in the Group B opener of the new FIFA tournament featuring the region’s best plus guest teams.

Taking it to the reigning, back-to-back Asean champions in the match at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, the Pinoy booters conjured more shots than the Golden Star Warriors, 10 against 5, with three shots on target, as they slightly dominated possession at 51 percent.

Randy Schneider nearly drew first blood for the Philippines but his long-range attempt just hit the crossbar in the 23rd-minute.

The troops of coach Carles Cuadrat appeared to have tied it up in the 82nd minute but Kenji Nishioka’s goal was overturned and disallowed for offside following a VAR review.

Sebastian Rasmussen found an opening for a potential equalizer in stoppage time but his header was saved by keeper Patrik Giang Le and Vietnam escaped with the W for second spot in the group behind Thailand, 4-0 winner over Pakistan in the other game.

Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez lauded the side’s “fluid offensive buildups and accurate passing” against regional power Vietnam, which he said, is “evidence of the team’s growth.”

“This is a far cry from how we’ve approached matches against Vietnam in the past. We were often the side sitting back and defending. Tonight, we were the ones dictating tempo and creating the chances,” he said.

“We were the more dominant side in creating chances in the final third tonight. That’s not something we can say lightly against a team like Vietnam.”

The Philippines seeks to bounce back Tuesday against Pakistan.