Vientiane: Laos registered back-to-back draws in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 after holding the Philippines 1-1 in a Group B contest at National Stadium KM16 on Sunday.
Laos, who played out a 3-3 draw with Indonesia in their last game, went ahead through a Michael Baldisimo own goal in the first half, but Sandro Reyes rescued a point for the Philippines with 13 minutes left to play.
It was the visitors who began the match on the front foot as Kike Linares headed just wide of the goal from a corner in the 10th minute while Laos goalkeeper Kop Lokphathip had to tip behind a header from Michael Kempter from a Baldisimo free-kick seven minutes later.
Laos had a sight at goal in the 20th minute when Patrick Deyto came off his line to punch a corner away, but failed. However, centre-back Linares helped the goalkeeper out by thumping the loose ball clear of any danger.
Baldisimo saw his free-kick from 25 yards out sail inches wide of the Laos goal four minutes later, but it was at the opposite end that the midfielder would find the back of the net in the 34th minute.
Kydavone Souvanny won the corner for Laos which was delivered into the box by Phoutthavong Sangvilay. Baldisimo met the corner in front of the goal but his defensive header breached his own goal to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Despite a goal down, Albert Capellas' players continued to dominate the possession and chances, but they were denied an equaliser twice in the closing stages of the first half.
Laos custodian Lokphathip parried a Bjorn Kristensen effort onto the post in the 44th minute before Baldisimo's follow-up was cleared off the line by captain Phetdavanh Somsanid to preserve his side's lead at the break.
Paul Tabinas did well down the right-hand side in the 64th minute before Zico Bailey hit his effort straight at goalkeeper Xaysavath in a rare chance for the visiting side.
An Alex Monis cross into the box was headed wide by Kristensen in the 76th minute, but the Philippines did not have to wait long to find the all-important equaliser.
It came once again down the right wing as Tabinas crossed into the box for Reyes who brought the ball under control with his first touch, switched it to his left foot and fired a low drive past Xaysavath to make it 1-1 in the 77th minute.
It was the Philippines who threatened to grab the three points as Javier Mariona forced Xaysavath into a good save in the 89th minute while Reyes shot over from distance a few seconds later.
Laos' best chance of a winner came in the third minute of second-half stoppage time as Peeter Phanthavong tried to curl a free-kick into the Philippines goal, only for Deyto to fist it away while Phathana Phommathep shot across the goal from a tight angle before the final whistle.
Laos, who have two points from three outings, will face Myanmar in the their final group outing on Wednesday while the Philippines face Vietnam on the same day.
Share now
