Vietnam spoiled Jarvey Gayoso’s celebratory mood as it forced a 1-1 draw with the Philippine men’s football team at the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Wednesday night.
Gayoso, who got married four days earlier, put the Philippines ahead with a 68th-minute goal that sent much of the 3,346 fans into a frenzy.
However, Doan Ngoc Tan scored a header off a corner kick in the seventh minute of stoppage time to put Vietnam on the board even as the Philippines’ last gasp went over the goalpost right before the referee blew the final whistle.
Despite dropping points for the first time this tournament, Vietnam remained undefeated with seven points off two wins and one draw.
It is on top of Group B and can officially clinch a semifinal seat with either a draw or a win against Myanmar in Hanoi on Saturday night.
The Philippines also remained unbeaten but with only three points to show, all via 1-1 stalemates. It travels to Jakarta to play a must-win match, also on Saturday night.
The Philippines must beat its host and hope that Vietnam draws or beats Myanmar to set a likely semifinal date with Thailand, the current Group A leader. (PNA)