If there’s one positive thing Sandro Reyes and the Philippine men’s football team took after another frustrating draw in the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup is that getting to the semifinals remains a possibility.

Reyes voiced his optimism even after the country’s chances got slimmer after Sunday’s 1-1 tie on the road against Laos and with Group B leader and title contender Vietnam set to invade Rizal Memorial Stadium and provide a massive midweek challenge for the Filipino squad.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Very difficult, but we’re still alive,” Reyes said after his goal in the 77th minute rescued the Philippines from defeat at Vientiane’s New Laos National Stadium.

Wednesday’s matchup will be a test of character for coach Albert Capellas’ side as Vietnam will come in favored to secure a third win in a row and secure the first spot in the semifinals of the prestigious competition.

Crucial fixtures

Vietnam grabbed the group lead from Indonesia in Sunday’s other match, claiming a 1-0 win in front of its home supporters in Viet Tri City.

Article continues after this advertisement

“It was not a good game for us [against Laos] and we made one step backwards,” Capellas said. “Now we have to play against Vietnam at home and raise our level if we want to qualify.”

Raising their level is definitely a must not only for the Vietnam tussle but also in Saturday’s final group match on the road against Indonesia. At least one win in those crucial fixtures could be enough, depending on the outcome of the other games, to secure a first semifinal berth since 2018.

Vietnam leads Group B with six points in two games, two clear of Indonesia which now has three matches. The Philippines have two points after its two draws, same with Laos, after three matches while Myanmar has produced just one point in two games.

Reyes’ goal, the second of his career for flag and country, made up for the huge blunder: an own goal by Michael Baldisimo in the first half that almost cost the Philippines.

Baldisimo was looking to clear the ball off a Laotian corner, but his header went to his team’s own net instead, much to the shock of the Philippine side in Vientiane and to fans back home mostly tuned in online.

Attempts by Bjorn Kristensen and Baldisimo before halftime almost cancelled that howler, and the Philippines spent most of the second half searching for a goal which eventually came courtesy of Reyes’ left-footed shot.

Reyes also set up Alex Monis for what looked to be a 2-1 lead shortly after his equalizer, only for the linesman to raise his flag as Monis was ruled offside. INQ