PH ends SEA Games men’s football run empty-handed as Malaysia claims bronze

Team Philippines once again left the football stage without a medal.

The Philippine men’s national U-22 football team bowed out of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games as fourth placers after absorbing a 2-1 loss to Malaysia in the bronze medal match at the Rajamangala Stadium on Dec. 18.

Showing a promising start in the tournament, Philippines opened their campaign 2-0 against Myanmar and 1-0 over Indonesia.

However, their bid for a gold medal appearance fell short in the semifinals as the Filipinos stumbled against Vietnam, where the Viets struck twice after a 88-minute deadlock to end the game 2-0.

Misfortune carried over into the bronze medal match as Malaysia drew first blood in the 28th minute when Sahaludin Hakimi found the back of the net, but the Philippines pulled even after Rosli Azim inadvertently sent the ball into his own goal.

Azim later restored Malaysia’s lead with a goal in the 43rd minute.

Efforts from the Philippines to retaliate failed, as they were met with the Malaysian’s locked-in defense.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the team made history after making the country’s first semifinals appearance since 1991.