Azkals lose semis bid
BACOLOD City – For 15 minutes, every fan at the packed Panaad Park and Stadium was on a high, with the Philippines leading Malaysia 2-1, the semifinal in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (Seag) seemed with in reach.
However, there was no story book ending for the under-dogs, nor a reappearance of the Ghost 0f '91. Malaysia, with more experience and getting some of the calls their way, came back for a 4-2 win.
The loss dropped the Philippines to third place and out of running for the final four spots.
"The level of officiating should improve," coach Aries Caslib said. However, Caslib refused to blame the loss on bad calls, "That's why football is a beautiful game, it's really the referee's call,"
For his part, fan favorite James Younghusband said, "This has been the worse officiating I've been on,"
The Azkals were down to 10 in the 23rd, after referee Norizan Bin Bakar booked Peter Jaugan for his second yellow for rushing towards a Malaysian freekick off a wall formation.
In the 24th Philipp's goal was disallowed for a foul on the keeper.
The team's spark plug, Emilio Caligdong, who normally comes in at the second half, relieved Filippo Braggio in the 20th, but a minute later, Malaysia scored.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was in the grandstand during the start of the match, left after the goal.
Philipp, who plays for the Chelsea FC reserves in England, finally scored a goal in the 33 rd, after getting a cross from Chad Gould.
"It's a great feeling scoring a goal, but it took longer because we already had two games," said Philip.
Things evened out in the 44th minute after Bakar also sent Amir Shareen Bin Abd Mubin to an early shower after getting a second yellow and the stadium erupted three minutes into the second half after Philipp headed in his brother James free kick to put the Philippines on top, 2-1.
A penalty in the 60th allowed Malaysia to equalized and Rudie Bin Azmi headed in a corner for a 3-2 lead.
"We are not used to leading by a goal, we have to learn how to managed that kind of situation," Caslib said.
Though Caslib said he was disappointed, he also said that he was very proud of his player's performance.
"I was really looking forward to winning the first medal for football in this Seag," he said.
However, there was no story book ending for the under-dogs, nor a reappearance of the Ghost 0f '91. Malaysia, with more experience and getting some of the calls their way, came back for a 4-2 win.
The loss dropped the Philippines to third place and out of running for the final four spots.
"The level of officiating should improve," coach Aries Caslib said. However, Caslib refused to blame the loss on bad calls, "That's why football is a beautiful game, it's really the referee's call,"
For his part, fan favorite James Younghusband said, "This has been the worse officiating I've been on,"
The Azkals were down to 10 in the 23rd, after referee Norizan Bin Bakar booked Peter Jaugan for his second yellow for rushing towards a Malaysian freekick off a wall formation.
In the 24th Philipp's goal was disallowed for a foul on the keeper.
The team's spark plug, Emilio Caligdong, who normally comes in at the second half, relieved Filippo Braggio in the 20th, but a minute later, Malaysia scored.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was in the grandstand during the start of the match, left after the goal.
Philipp, who plays for the Chelsea FC reserves in England, finally scored a goal in the 33 rd, after getting a cross from Chad Gould.
"It's a great feeling scoring a goal, but it took longer because we already had two games," said Philip.
Things evened out in the 44th minute after Bakar also sent Amir Shareen Bin Abd Mubin to an early shower after getting a second yellow and the stadium erupted three minutes into the second half after Philipp headed in his brother James free kick to put the Philippines on top, 2-1.
A penalty in the 60th allowed Malaysia to equalized and Rudie Bin Azmi headed in a corner for a 3-2 lead.
"We are not used to leading by a goal, we have to learn how to managed that kind of situation," Caslib said.
Though Caslib said he was disappointed, he also said that he was very proud of his player's performance.
"I was really looking forward to winning the first medal for football in this Seag," he said.
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