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Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Defense keeps PH Azkals in1st place

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It was a big defensive effort for the Philippine Azkals’ national under-23 men’s football team as they fought defending champion and host Vietnam to a scoreless draw on Sunday evening in the 31st Southeast Asian Games football tournament at the Viet Tri Phu Tho Stadium in Viet Tri.

Everyone involved in defense did their part and this allowed the Philippines to remain in first place in Group A with 4 points.

Fil-Dutch goalie Quincy Kameraad said this as the Azkals head into their third game on Tuesday against Myanmar.

“Everyone involved did an amazing job, defensively,” said Kameraad in keeping the Vietnamese booters from scoring a single goal throughout their encounter.

Kameraad came in the way of two Vietnamese frontliners, Nham Manh Dung and Huynh Cong Den, who had two great chances each to score.

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But their shots lacked accuracy and kept Vietnam from getting past the Filipinos in the first half.

Vietnam also got two free kicks close to the box, but Le Van Do couldn’t convert both when the first half was over.

Fatigue caught up with the Vietnamese players, some 15 minutes into the second half, allowing the Philippines to organize its defense in front of the goal from then on.

Vietnam is now second in Group A, behind the Philippines.

Kameraad said the team followed coach Norman Fegidero’s instructions to stay in a defensive mode against Vietnam.

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