BIÑAN, Laguna – The Philippines U-22 men’s football team might have convincingly defeated Timor Leste but it is still not enough to carry the Azkals to the 30th Southeast Asian Games semifinals.
Amani Aguinaldo fired a hat trick, while Stephan Schrock, Mark Diano and Dylan De Bruycker added a conversion each as the Azkals defeated Timor Leste, 6-1, on Wednesday night at the Biñan Football Stadium.
The Azkals and Cambodia both ended up with four points each but it was the latter, by virtue of its 3-1 win over Malaysia last night, that clinch them the second group A semis seat along with Myanmar.
The Azkals were determined since the tip off with Schrock converting at the fourth minute before it was followed by a header by Aguinaldo at the 43rd for a 2-0 halftime score.
The Azkals went on with its dominance in the second half with Diano and De Bruycker converting two straight goals to move closer to its target of eight-goal advantage.
The Philippines moved even closer after two straight goals by Aguinaldo but a failed save by the Azkals keeper Anthony Pinthus on a Timor Leste free kick proved to be the back breaker for the Philippine team./PN
