The national U-23 team fights for dear life Friday, May 13 when it battles Indonesia in the men’s football competitions of the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Phu Tho, Vietnam.
A win is all the Azkals U-23 need against the Indonesians in the 4 p.m. local time (5 p.m. Manila time) match in order to stay in the hunt for a semifinals berth given to the two best teams in Group A.
Coach Norman Fegidero’s side was put in a precarious situation after suffering a 3-2 loss against Myanmar three days ago at the Viet Tri Stadium.
That came despite the Azkals U-23 entering the match on a high after holding defending champion and host Vietnam to a scoreless draw.
Level on points with Vietnam at four points, with the latter having a match at hand, the Philippines can’t afford to get a result other than a win.
Myanmar sits on top of Group A with six points after two matches and is slated to play Vietnam following the Philippines-Indonesia match.
Indonesia is also eyeing a victory to keep its semis bid after compiling three points after two matches.
After a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Vietnam, Indonesia rebounded by posting a 4-1 rout of Timor-Leste.