By: GIL MORIONES
MANILA --- VAR nullified an equalizing goal from Kenji Nishioka in the 81st minute, denying the Philippines their first win in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup as Vietnam prevailed in Division A Group B action at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia, on a rainy Saturday night.
It was supposed to be the equalizer for the Philippines, who had been dominated in possession but managed several solid attempts. However, the goal was ruled offside after Sandro Reyes found Nishioka beyond the allowed line.
Vietnam struck first in the 24th minute when Williams Minh Hoà ng drew Michael Falkesgaard out of position and fed Nguyen Dinh Bac, who scored uncontested for the reigning 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup champions, 1-0.
Earlier, VAR had already overturned a potential red card against Jesper Nyholm after confirming his shoulder-to-shoulder challenge was legal during a Vietnamese counterattack.
Carles Cuadrat introduced Sebastian Rasmussen in the final minutes, and he nearly equalized with a header in the 90+1 minute, but Lê Giang Patrik punched it away to preserve Vietnam’s lead.
Before Dinh Bac’s opener, Randy Schneider had tested the Vietnamese defense with a near-screamer from outside the box that rattled the crossbar in the 22nd minute.
Dinh Bac attempted to double the lead in the 57th minute, but Falkesgaard saved his shot. The rebound fell to Nguyen Xuan Son, who went down clutching a freshly sustained hamstring injury.
The PMNFT will next face Pakistan on Tuesday in hopes of keeping their progression dreams alive toward either the Final or the third-place match.
