Philippines head coach Albert Capellas expressed disappointment after his team conceded a last-minute equalizer to Vietnam in their Group B clash at the ASEAN Cup 2024. Despite leading 1-0 for much of the second half, the Philippines settled for a 1-1 draw after Doan Ngoc Tan scored in the seventh minute of injury time at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on December 18.
“We felt like the victory was stolen from us,” Capellas remarked during the post-match press conference. “I am very saddened for my players because they deserved to win, not just this game but all three matches so far. It’s a lesson for us on how to close games more effectively.”
Javier Gayoso’s goal in the 68th minute had put the hosts in front, but their inability to manage the closing minutes allowed Vietnam to claw back and secure a crucial point. The Philippines remain winless in the tournament, having drawn against Myanmar and Laos in their previous matches.
Capellas praised his players for their hard work and commitment but acknowledged the recurring challenges they have faced. “Each game has been unique,” he said. “Against Myanmar, we created 22 chances but only scored once. In Laos, the pitch conditions were difficult. Tonight, we couldn’t maintain possession in the final moments.”
The Spanish coach described the match against Vietnam as a “battle.” He noted that while his team is not defensively strong, his strategy was to keep possession and play through the lines in the final minutes. “I wanted them to hold the ball and pass more calmly, but they were too exhausted to execute that plan,” he explained.
Set pieces have been a weak point for the Philippines throughout the tournament, with all three goals they’ve conceded coming from dead-ball situations. In this game, goalkeeper Patrick Deyto misjudged a punch from a corner, allowing Ngoc Tan to head home from close range. However, Capellas defended his players. “I never blame individuals for mistakes,” he said. “Patrick made several crucial saves earlier, and he has been a key player for us.”
Philippines currently sit fourth in Group B with three points, trailing Indonesia and Myanmar by one point, while Vietnam leads the group with seven points. In their final group-stage match on December 21, the Philippines will face Indonesia in a must-win game, while Vietnam hosts Myanmar at Viet Tri Stadium.
Adding to the Philippines’ challenges, the team had to head straight to the airport after the match to travel to Indonesia, leaving them with limited recovery time. “We’re going into our most important match against a team that’s had five days of rest,” Capellas said. “I truly don’t understand the scheduling.”
Despite the obstacles, Capellas remains optimistic. “If we play with the same intensity as we did against Vietnam and capitalize on our chances, we still have a shot at the semifinals,” he concluded.
Leave a Reply