14 Nov Azkals lose to Vietnamese, end fairy tale AFF Suzuki Cup run
The Philippines made a memorable run in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup before absorbing a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat to eventual winner Vietnam in the semifinals on December 2 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
The Azkals made as far as the semis after compiling two wins at the expense of Singapore, 1-0, on November 13 in Bacolod City and Timor Leste, 4-2, on Nov. 17 in Malaysia and two draws with Thailand, 1-1, on Nov. 21 in Bacolod and Indonesia, 0-0, on Nov. 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
But it was not to be for the Filipinos against the Vietnamese in the semis, no thanks to two consecutive late goals in regulation by Nguyen Quang Hai (84’) and Nguyen Cong Phurong (87’).
The Azkals made a desperate attempt to turn things around but could only score once, thanks to James Younghusband (89’).