By: Gil Moriones
MANILA - The 3,346 crowd of the Rizal Memorial Stadium was excitedly waiting for the referee to blow his whistle not until the late goal by Doan Ngoc Tan made possible for Vietnam to take home a point vs. PMNFT, 1-1, in the continuing ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, Wednesday night.
The 96th minute goal by the Golden Star Warriors was happened from the corner kick sequence as the ball slipped into the hands of Patrick Deyto, supposedly to catch it, and found an unmark Ngoc Tan that he quickly headed the ball to the goalmouth to even the game.
Enough to silence the Filipino crowd waiting for the referee to end the game carrying their happiness after Jarvey Gayoso's goal in the 68th minute that put the home national team in command.
Vietnam's equalizing goal significantly erased the effort pounded by Gayoso, who came from the bench to replace Bjorn Kristensen, which produced from short build-up play until Amani Aguinaldo surveyed Javier Mariona but Vietnamese defender touched it led for Gayoso to catch, made a small drive, and launched an attempt left Filip Nguyen not to tap it.
Although the halftime ended into goalless, the best possible chance to claim the desperation was from Sandro Reyes at the 36th minute after he freed himself from his drive and launched an attempt outside the box which went wide.
An early challenge was appealed as the referee called the penalty after Van Thanh Vu fell inside the box in the 9th minute but the anticipated penalty to award with Vietnam was nullified after the referee confirmed a diving made by Thanh Vu through VAR review.
The goal custodian Patrick Deyto defied his role after saving three vital connections to the goal by Vietnam in 25th, 40th, and 95th minute before mishap in conceding goal in the 96th minute.
A must win vs. Indonesia, and for Vietnam.
Group B still not decided its candidates for the semifinals. Either Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, or Indonesia will prevail as two spots for semis still up for grabs.
However, the Philippines will fly in Sukaharta as the long-rested Indonesia awaits in their deciding match on December 21.
The redempting Philippines must win their decider match vs. young Indonesian squad and their fate will be dictated on the results between Vietnam vs. Myanmar, which Vietnam shall gain ascendancy.
The Philippines trailed by one place, now 4th, in the Group B as Myanmar finally listed its win after eliminating Laos in the score of 3-2. Vietnam and Indonesia still holding their places at first and second, respectively.
Thailand already advance in the semifinals as rewarded being the top of Group A while the second semifinal ticket is on heist between Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
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