Azkals ends AFF Suzuki Cup campaign after surviving 2nd half scare vs. Myanmar

Bienvenido Maranon listed four goals to side as tournament's top scorer together with Teerasil Dangda and Safawi Rasid. PFF

By Gil Moriones

MANILA-- Both Philippines and Myanmar were eliminated for the contention but they both formally ended their respective campaign, as the Azkals was survived in the loom of Burmese comeback in the 2nd half, 3-2 in their last match for the AFF Suzuki Cup Group Stage at Bishan Stadium, Saturday evening.

Bienvenido Maranon's scoring party continued after he got one in their match versus Timor Leste last Saturday and he got his first international hattrick all made before heading to dugout at the end of first half.

At the 15th minute, Maranon snipped his attempt after Burmese keeper Myo Min Latt guessed wrong from cross left their goalpost being defended by two red shirts and the ball went to the net that easily converted for the first lead by the Filipinos.

Three minutes ago at the 18th minute, the United City FC targetman flicked the ball and went to the top corner left no change for Latt to tap it, thanks to the brilliant cross assist from Kevin Ingreso at the right to double the lead for the Azkals.

After with added minutes before the end of 1st half, Martin Steuble located Maranon to head it superbly to triple the lead for the Philippines. Maranon bannered the Philippines team with four goals so far together with Teerasil Dangda and Safawi Rasid in the top scorers of the this biennial football fest.

It was newly-substituted Htet Phyo Wai who initiated the supposed to be a comeback run for the Burmese after he got two goals in the second half.   

The first goal for Myanmar was cause by counterattack creating an opportunity for the goal which turned into reality after Aung Kung Wai cross left Azkals goalie Kevin Ray Mendoza to out of his position and Wai easily booted to revive their team at the 73rd minute.  

However, the late scare was occurred in the 89th minute as Lwin Moe Aung passed to Wai from the left flank and kicked easily left Mendoza no chance to save it to cut their deficit only by one, 3-2. 

The Azkals will end the AFF Suzuki Cup listing two wins and two lose earning them six points but was not enough to hire them for their fifth semifinal appearance of the subregional competition as they lost to the crucial matches against host Singapore and Thailand, who both advanced to the semifinal round. 

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