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[av_heading heading=’Thailand loss sends Azkals tumbling out of Suzuki Cup ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Philippine Azkals ended its campaign in the 2016 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup following a 1-0 loss to the Thailand War Elephants on Friday night at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The Azkals kept in step with the War Elephants for most of the match until Sarawut Masuk drained the marginal goal in the 81st minute to clinch the win.
The Azkals’ elimination was formalized as Indonesia Merah Puti scored a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Singapore Lions at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
“It is disappointing, but we have to move on,” said Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley. “It is sad that we have to go out. The players played with their heart and they did what they could.”
“This (tournament) will be a learning experience for all of us. The Azkals will take a rest and then we will go back to the drawing board to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier,” he added.
Both teams employed a tight defense early in the match with the War Elephants’ attempts foiled by Azkals keeper Ronald Muller. Tries by Azkals’ Phil Younghusband and Stephan Schrock were similarly easily blocked.
The Azkals became aggressive early in the second half with attempts from Manny Ott and Younghusband, but these too were guarded by Thailand. The War Elephants were misfiring from close range until Sarawut scored over the defense of Muller.
With their backs against the wall, the Azkals tried to hit the ball past the goal but the extended defense of the War Elephants prevented the Philippine team from going close to its target.
“The Philippines are a good team,” said War Elephants head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang. “We are not thinking (that we are already in the semifinals) we just want to show professional.”
The War Elephants and the Merah Puti will be moving on to the semifinals where they will face the top two finishers from the other group which is composed of Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia./PN
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