Azkals play Indonesians to scoreless draw

Advance to AFF Suzuki semis vs Vietnamese

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Azkals gained redemption from their semifinal bust two years ago as they returned to the Last-4 of the 2018 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup after finishing second in Group B last night in Jakarta.

The Pinoy booters, who were a familiar fixture in the semis of the biennial meet from 2010 to 2014 but unceremoniously bombed out in 2016, went for the maximum points but settled for a scoreless draw with already eliminated Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno but it was enough to send them back to the medal rounds. 

Boosted by earlier victories over Singapore and Timor Leste and a 1-1 stalemate with holder Thailand, Phl XI ended group play with eight points to take Pool B’s runner-up honors and set a two-legged semifinal match-up with Group A winner Vietnam on Dec. 2 in Bacolod and Dec. 6 in Hanoi.

Thailand had a leading 10 points in Group B, their 3-0 drubbing of Singapore over in Bangkok last night assuring them of No. 1 while aiding the Azkals’ march by eliminating the Lions (six points).

“It’s not easy to play here but I think we did okay,” said Azkals coach Sven Goran Eriksson, who was forced to relieve skipper Phil Younghusband in the 25th minute after suffering an injury in a collision with an Indonesian player.

“We weren’t brilliant but a draw is okay. Of course we wanted to win but Thailand had too many goal differences ahead of us (in the race for Group B No. 1). We’re in the semifinals and we haven’t lost a match so we’re happy.”

Stephan Schrock nearly drew first blood in the fourth minute of the game witnessed by a relatively low turnout of 15,436 fans at the cavernous stadium, but his right-footed shot from the center of the box sailed wide. 

Schrock later set up Manny Ott for another golden chance at the 60th, but Indonesian keeper Andritany Ardhiyasa proved up to the task in stopping the attempt. Ott would have a freekick on target late in the match but Andritany was again there to stop it.

The Philippines held tough on the defensive end with Carly de Murga leading a solid line that frustrated the Indonesian attackers.