By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno – PNA News
MANILA — The Philippine Azkals found Vietnam too tough even at home.
The Azkals bowed to the Golden Dragons, 1-2, at the start of their two-leg ASEAN Football Federation Championship semifinals at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Sunday.
Nguyen Anh Duc and Phan Van Duc led Vietnam’s road rage as the team returns to Hanoi with huge away goals that put the Azkals in a tough position to score a huge road win on Thursday to snatch a spot in the final of the tournament also known as the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Nguyen struck first in the 12th minute as he converted on a header to give the Vietnamese fans who flocked the venue something to cheer about.
The Azkals, however, equalized just before halftime as Patrick Reichelt struck a volley goal past Dang Van Lam off a Phil Younghusband cross. Reichelt’s goal marked the first time Dang gave up a goal in this year’s edition and the first time the Azkals scored in the Suzuki Cup semis.
Phan put Vietnam back up in the 48th minute as the team’s defense held the Azkals off to the end.
