KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Needing a win to keep their hopes of advancing to the semifinals alive, Philippines' campaign in the ASEAN Championship came to an end on Saturday after Malaysia outplayed the Filipinos to secure a 1-0 victory in front of 12,734 supporters at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium.
The Filipinos finished the group stage in fourth place with one win and three losses, and exit the tournament considerably earlier than their dream run to the semis two years ago.
Carles Cuadrat retained the same starting XI from the Thailand home game but shifted to a three-man backline, with Javier Mariona and Kenji Nishioka operating on the flanks.
It was who Malaysia started the match on the front foot, determined to secure the three points and clinch their place in the knockout stages alongside Thailand -- who defeated Myanmar 2-0 in the other Group B match at Rajamangala Stadium.
G. Pavithran put the hosts ahead in the 16th minute, heading Wan Kuzain's cross past Patrick Deyto.
Malaysia's attacking pressure continued as Kuzain was once again involved 11 minutes later, but his cross into the box was cleared away by Adrian Ugelvik.
Philippines had their lone clear chance of the first half in the 34th minute, when Mariona forced a touch from Azri Ghani to earn a corner.
Malaysia continued where they left off after the break, with Rodney Celvin forcing another save from Deyto in the 68th minute.
But in true Filipino fashion, the visitors never surrendered.
Pocholo Bugas, who replaced Oskari Kekkonen at halftime, rifled away a shot from just outside the box in the 75th minute but could only send it over the crossbar.
Malaysia came close to double the advantage four minutes from time as Deyto was already well beaten by Pavithran, but substitute Jaime Rosquillo made a last-ditch tackle to send the clear the ball to safety.
Philippines continued to push for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Malaysia held firm to secure the victory and advance to the last four.
For Philippines, the defeat brings their ASEAN Championship campaign to an end. But with a young squad gaining valuable experience on the international stage, the tournament could prove to be another important step in the team's development.
More to follow...