So close..........


BACOLOD City – Thailand's goalkeeper Kosin Hathairattanakool had two brilliant stops for his team's 1-0 win over a determined Philippine team yesterday in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games football event at the packed Panaad Park and Stadium.

Though Thailand won the match, it wasn't the same as past encounters with the Thais winning by blowouts as the Philippines, which had Chelsea reserves Philipp and James Younghusbands up front held their own against the title holders.

The Philippines took the initiative early, with Andy Prochnov header just inches high.

However, the Thais showed their superiority as they kept the Philippines in the defensive in the next 20 minutes before a lapse in the RP back line left Jakkrit Bunkham open for a booming shot just outside the box in the 36th that got past Michael Casas.

"It was poor concentration on our opposite defense, we have to improve that," RP coach Aries Caslib said.

Backed by a jampacked sea of blue shirts, the boys took the initiative in the second half and Ali Borromeo's header off a corner in the 47th seemed headed to a goal before it got cleared by a defender.

Another header by Borromeo in the 79th forced a diving save from Hathairanttanol just as it was to cross the bottom corner and in the next corner, Philip's shot was again saved by the Thai keeper.

"Clearly, I am not satisfied because we lost, but we were just very unlucky," Caslib said.

However, Thailand coach Chanvit Phalajivin praised the home boys. "The Philippines played very, very well today. They pressured (us) on the high ball and during corners."

With the loss, the Philippines will have to win its next two matches against Cambodia on Friday and Malaysia on Nov. 29 to qualify for the semifinals.

"We still have a chance to qualify (for the semifinals), our target is to finish second in the group," Caslib said.

Today, Indonesia, which drew Myanmar. 0-0, last Monday, faces Singapore in the first game while Myanmar takes on Vietnam in the second at the Paglaum Sports Complex.

(photo by Ruel Rosello)

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