They couldn't capitalize on their chances late in the match.
Santi Rublico dribbled left before unleashing a shot that grazed the crossbar in the final minutes, and the Philippine Azkals settled for a 1-1 draw against Indonesia in the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday.
A couple of minutes before that play, Patrick Reichelt also had a shot at a potential game-winner, but his first touch was a little heavy, allowing the Indonesian goalkeeper to get it.
Reichelt couldn’t replicate his brilliance in the first half, wherein he struck the goal in the 26th minute off a Kevin Ingreso assist before over 9,000 screaming fans at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
But just when the raucous supporters thought the Azkals would walk away with three points, Saddil Ramdani made the Philippines pay, sneaking in a goal from the right flank in the 70th minute.
“It’s football, you don’t always get what you want,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss after the match.
The Azkals and Indonesia, both coming off an opening loss in the second round, are walking away with a single point so far in Group F action.
The Azkals will next face Iraq in March next year.
(PM)