The Philippine Azkals proved that they can play match the Cambodian national team.
Coach Sven Goran Eriksson said this after the Azkals under-22 squad played Cambodia to a 1-all draw Monday night at the start of the 30th Southeast Asian Games football competitions at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
“We were able to win a game against a team that is very good. To be honest, we were losing easily against Cambodia. But, today, we are proud that we were much better than them,” said Eriksson.
Substitute midfielder Dennis Chung sent in the equalizer for the Philippines during the added time.
Chung, a Fil-German pro, a scored on a pass by Stephan Schrock, and this put the Philippines in a four-way tie for the Group A lead with Malaysia and Myanmar.
The Azkals will now seek a win against Myanmar when they meet at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Malaysia and Myanmar earlier figured in a similar 1-all draw, after Muhammad Hado Fayyadh sank an equalizer in the 24th minute.
In Group B, Vietnam smothered Brunei, 6-0, over at the Binan Stadium in Laguna, with Ha Duc Chinh sending in four markers.
The 18-year-old Chung came in for Dylan de Bruycker and he found the net after Schrock could not get past a wall of defenders.
Defender Justin Baas and goalie Anthony Pintus got in the way of a pair of attempts by Sin Kakada before time expired.
The Cambodians put the Philippines on its toes early after Keo Sokpheng slipped past the defense in the 41st minute.