Indonesia turned back the Philippines, 2-1, Monday night in the 2022-23 ASEAN Football Football Federation-Mitsubishi Electric Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium during team skipper Stephan Schrock’s final game with the Azkals.
Schrock, a 36-year-old Fil-German midfielder, retired after playing his 55th match with the Azkals.
Despite the loss, Schrock said he played with a performance that all his fans can be proud of.
“I gave it a good fight. And the performance from all of us is something that we can be proud of,” said Schrock, who has played for the Azkals for the last 11 years
The Garudas, who formally earned a place in the semifinals with their win over the Azkals, scored their first goal off Dendy Sulistyawan in the 21st-minute, off a header following a long throw-in to the penalty box that Azkals’ goalie Anthony Pinthus could not catch.
Marselino Philipus then volleyed a 43rd-minute goal from just the edge of the box and out of Pinthus’ reach.
The Philippines tightened up on its defense afterwards and found a chance to score when Sebastian Rasmussen headed in a cross from Schrock on the 83rd minute.
The Azkals missed the knockout stages for the second straight time, dropping to fourth place in Group A with only their 5-1 win against Brunei last week to show.
“In this tournament. I’m very proud of the veterans. They showed awesome commitment,”said Azkals’ coach Josep Ferré.
Indonesia settled for the second seed in Group A after Thailand defeated Cambodia, 3-1, in a simultaneous showdown.
Over at the Thammasat Stadium in Rangsit, Thailand got the scoring chances in the second half, with Teerasil Dangda converting a penalty shot in the second minute of stoppage time to put the Thais ahead.
Sumanya Purisai then started the second half with a 50th-minute strike to give the Thais a 2-0 cushion.
Cambodia got back into the match as Sieng Chanthea weaved his way past the backline for the 68th-minute goal to make it 2-1.
Thailand then got another goal from Dangda, who completed his brace just before the second-half stoppage time began on the 90th minute.
Thailand and Indonesia finished the group stages unbeaten at three wins and one draw each for 10 points, but Thailand took the top spot with a better goal difference.