The Philippine football team in the Asean U-23 Championship. –PHOTO VIA PFF
The Philippines secured a breakthrough semifinal appearance in the Asean U-23 Championship after placing second in Group A of the competition held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Handled by Garrath McPherson, the Filipinos progressed into the last four after posting two victories against Malaysia and Brunei against one defeat which came against host Indonesia to get past the group stage with six points.
They also got some help from the result of the other group games, particularly Cambodia’s 2-1 loss to Thailand in Group B and Myanmar’s goalless draw against Myanmar in Group C to emerge as the best second-placed teams.
With the qualification to the last four, the Philippines will take on Vietnam in the semifinals on Friday at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Indonesia and Thailand square off in the other bracket.
The final is on Monday, while a third-place playoff, should the Philippines lose, is set for Sunday, all at the same venue.
Otu Banatao’s accounted for all of the goals the Philippines scored in the 2-0 win over Malaysia to begin its campaign as keeper Nico Guimaraes produced a clean sheet with his defending between the sticks.
Guimaraes also starred in the following match with Indonesia, but the Philippines lost 1-0 after an own goal from Jaime Rosquillo in the 23rd.
But the Philippines bounced back to beat Brunei, 2-0, as Javi Mariona, who is part of the men’s senior team, scored a penalty in the 20th before Noti Nunez doubled the lead, five minutes before stoppage.
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