MANILA, Philippines — Super sub Joven Bedic struck late as the Philippine Azkals salvaged a 1-1 draw with Thailand last night in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup under wet conditions at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
Coming on for Stephan Palla in the 78th, Ilonggo Bedic didn’t waste time making his presence felt and cashed in on his golden opportunity two minutes into the action to fire a clutch screamer that hit the post and bounced into the net to help the Filipinos escape defeat and split the spoils with the War Elephants.
With the hard-earned tie, the Azkals hiked their tally to seven points, on level with the defending champions, and boosted their bid for a semifinal berth with a match left in Group B.
“I think we played very well all 90 minutes and for me we were the better team out there, we created more chances,” said Azkals coach Sven Goran Eriksson, whose charges stepped up their play after a rather unconvincing 3-2 win over minnows Timor Leste last Nov. 17 in Kuala Lumpur.
“1-1 (result) is okay. We could have won the game but I’m very happy with the team’s very good performance against a good team.”
The Azkals controlled much of the action, unleashing waves of attacks but Patrick Strauss, Patrick Reichelt and Daisuke Sato couldn’t convert and Phil Younghusband’s shot was saved by the keeper.
It was the Thais who made the breakthrough at the 56th as Supachai Jaidee sent it home in connection with Philip Roller. Phl looked furiously for the equalizer and turned to Bedic off the bench to deliver the goods nine minutes from time.
Going into the game with a 1-0 win over Singapore and a close 3-2 win over Timor Leste, the Azkals battled the War Elephants with no less than a victory in mind to increase their chances for a semifinal stint.
The Thais now have 12 goals overall counting their 7-0 win over Timor Leste and 4-2 over Indonesia.