BY JONAS TERRADO
Games Wednesday
(Rizal Memorial Stadium)
4 p.m. – Myanmar vs Philippines
8 p.m. – Cambodia vs Timor-Leste
THE national U-22 team aims to hurdle the first obstacle in its quest for a semifinals berth when it takes on Myanmar in the men’s football competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Kickoff is set at 4 p.m. with the Young Azkals aiming to secure the maximum three points against a Myanmar side that placed fourth two years ago in Kuala Lumpur.
Getting a good result enhances the Philippines’ chances of making the semis for the first-time ever with the host nation on level terms with Myanmar, Malaysia and Cambodia after the first match day of the tournament ended in draws.
A late equalizer by 18-year-old Dennis Chung enabled the Philippines to salvage a 1-1 tie against Cambodia in front of more than 2,000 fans at the Rizal pitch.
Stephan Schrock, one of two overaged players tapped for the event, is hoping that the team can carry the momentum of the second half performance into the match with Myanmar.
“In the second half, we became much better. We made the right adjustments and the next two games we’ll gun for the semifinals,” said Schrock.
The goal could allow Chung to make an appearance in the starting 11 instead of Dylan de Bruycker while Yrick Gallantes and Chiba Uzoka could play prominent roles aside from Schrock.
Myanmar, likewise, settled for a 1-1 draw with Malaysia in the first game of Monday’s opener.
Cambodia faces Timor-Leste in the other game slated at 8 p.m.
