The Philippines Men’s National Team delivered a thrilling performance to draw defending AFF Suzuki Cup champions Thailand, 1-1, last Wednesday 21 November 2018 at the Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium.
Playing with a clear intention, the Azkals dominated Thailand throughout the match, but it was the defending champions that found the opening goal in the 56th minute.
Supachai Chaided was found free on the box following a Thai counter-attack to silence the crowd in Pana-ad.
However, Thailand’s goal proved to be the fire that the Azkals needed to find the back of the net. Chances from skipper Phil Younghusband, Daisuke Sato, and Stephan Schrock almost gave the Philippines the much needed equalizer.
But it was Jovin Bedic, the Iloilo-born forward, that rose to the occasion when his deflected effort hit the post and crept in to the back of the net to send the boisterous Pana-ad crowd in jubilation.
With the result, the Philippines remained level with Thailand at 7 points each. However Thailand holds a better goal differential over the Philippines.
The Philippines will finish their group stage campaign when they play away to Indonesia on Sunday 25 November 2018 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.