Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hanoi: Philippines are the first team through to the semi-finals of the 2014 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship after claiming a resounding 4-0 win over Indonesia on Tuesday.
The Azkals took the lead at the My Dinh National Stadium in the 16th minute when Phil Younghusband clinically fired home from the penalty spot, after Misagh Bahadoran had been brought down by Firman Utina inside the area.
Seven minutes after the break, they doubled their advantage through a stunning strike from Manny Ott, who latched onto Bahadoran’s cutback and sent an unstoppable 20-yard half-volley into the top corner.
The game was then all but over eight minutes after the hour mark after Indonesia goalkeeper Kurnia Meiga conceded an indirect freekick inside the box by handling a back-pass; Younghusband immediately slipping the ball to Martin Steuble to slot into the unguarded net before their opponents could regroup.
Things went from bad to worse for Indonesia as they found themselves down to ten men in the 73rd minute, when Rizky Pora was shown a straight red for a last-man foul on Younghusband.
And six minutes later, the Azkals went on to wrap up an emphatic triumph as Rob Gier poked home a fourth goal on the rebound, after his initial header had come back off the post.
The result was enough to seal a top-two finish for Philippines in Group A, ensuring they will be advancing to the last four for the third tournament in a row.
In Tuesday’s later game, Vietnam put themselves in pole position to join the Filipinos in the semis after moving second in the group with a 3-0 triumph over Laos, who were eliminated in the process.
Vu Minh Tuan fired the hosts ahead in the 27th minute when he made a late run into the box to meet Le Tan Tai’s visionary through-pass, and slid in to steer his shot into the bottom corner.
However, they had to wait until the 84th minute before a second goal arrived as Tan Tai fired away a fierce shot that was parried by Seng Athit Somvang into the path of Le Cong Vinh, who made no mistake with a tap in from a couple of yards out.
With two minutes remaining, the Vietnamese went on to seal the victory as Nguyen Van Quyet made his way past Bounthavy Sipasong and whipped in a cross for Nguyen Huy Hung to meet with a firm volley into the back of the net.
Vietnam now only need to avoid a draw in their final game against the Azkals to seal their berth in the last four, although a defeat could still be enough for them to pip Indonesia to second place given their superior goal difference.
Photo: WSG