Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Hithadhoo: Goals in each half from Simone Rota and Patrick Reichelt ensured the Philippines made a belated start to their AFC Challenge Cup campaign with a deserved 2-0 win over Laos on Thursday.
Rota opened the scoring for the Philippines, who finished third at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, with an eye-catching strike just before half-time as Hithadhoo Stadium.
And with Reichelt’s header doubling the lead just after the hour mark, the Philippines added to Tuesday’s goalless draw with SAFF champions Afghanistan to maintain their unbeaten record in Group B.
“We knew we had to win the game to continue our path, but it was not important to score five goals, but important to win the game. If we could score more goals that would be great, but if you think about that in the beginning about how many goals you might score, you might lose,” said Philippines coach Thomas Dooley, who will take his side to Male on Friday ahead of the following days final group game against two-time runners-up Turkmenistan at the National Stadium.
“We had some chances in the beginning. We were the better side in the first half and created pressure, but we couldn’t finish.
“I am happy we got the first goal and after the first goal we moved the ball better and you could see Laos cramping up a lot as they had to run more.”
Having hit the crossbar in Tuesday’s opening draw with Afghanistan, the Philippines again rattled the frame of the goal after just nine minutes as centre-back Juan Guirado met Phil Younghusband’s corner with a towering header which landed on top of the woodwork.
The Philippines, though, struggled to build on that early chance as the Azkals lacked quality in the final third despite dominating possession and keeping Laos pinned back inside their own half.
But four minutes before half-time the breakthrough finally arrived as Rota followed up after Stephan Schrock’s shot from inside the penalty area had been blocked and the full-back rifled a rising first-time strike into the top corner having initially won the ball back as Laos struggled to clear.
Dooley, though, clearly wanted more from his side in the second half and James Younghusband was withdrawn at half-time at the expense of Martin Steuble, with Paul Mulders moving out to the left wing.
And Dooley was forced into another change soon after as centre-back Guirado was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Amani Aguinaldo.
But that did little to halt the Philippines’ dominance of the contest and a crucial second finally arrived three minutes after the hour mark as Reichelt’s glancing backpost header from another Phil Younghusband corner nestled into the bottom corner past Laos goalkeeper Vathana Keodouangdeth.
Phil Younghusband then wasted a glorious chance to add a third as the striker blazed over from the edge of the six yard area with the goal at his mercy, but it did little to affect the overall result as the Philippines comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
“I talked to the players before the game that we must be confident as we have a responsibility for the Laos people and that’s why we must give 100%,” said Laos coach Norio Tsukitate, who must now prepare his side to face Afghanistan on Saturday after seeing his side’s qualification hopes ended following a second consecutive defeat.
“The players understand they are playing for the Laos national team and we must give 100% for Laos.
“In the second half we needed to score, but we cannot change tactics, physical or technique in just one day.”