Filipino booters flaunt a lot of mental toughness in win over Laotians

Coach Carles Cuadrat hailed the mental fortitude displayed by the Philippine men’s football team in its 4-1 win over Laos that gave them their first points in the Asean Hyundai Cup.

The Filipinos atoned for conceding the opener early in the contest to bounce back from their 4-1 loss to Myanmar at home and secure their first victory in the biennial football competition.

That mentality is something Cuadrat’s side hopes to carry into the next two matches, both massive challenges, in their bid to get to the semifinals for the second straight time.

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Up next for the Philippines is powerhouse Thailand on Tuesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium, a game that may decide the Filipinos’ chances of getting out of Group B.

“Until we scored the second goal, it looked like everything was against us in this tournament,” Cuadrat said. “But what I’m happy about was that we changed our fortunes in the second half and it’s a good reward for the squad.”

Damoth Thongkhamsavath’s opener seven minutes into the match after Philippine goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad couldn’t get a hold of the ball enabled the Laotians a dream start in Vientiane.

The scoreline stood until early in the second half when John Lucero scored the equalizer after smashing the ball into the far side of the net.

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Javi Mariona’s shot into the goal, later ruled as an own goal after a failed deflection gave the Philippines the lead before Jarvey Gayoso and Daisuke Sato added two more to secure the maximum three points.

Facing Thailand will put the Philippines in perhaps desperation mode, with anything less than a win likely ending the Filipinos’ chances of making the semis.

Thailand has won its first two matches, including Saturday’s 2-0 romp of Malaysia in Bangkok to lead the group with six points. INQ