Pinoys in surprise draw with Brunei in ASEAN soccer qualifiers

MANILA, Philippines - Brunei Darussalam forced the Philippines to a 1-1 draw in the ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup qualifiers late Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was a surprising result, considering the Nationals routed Brunei 4-1 in the same event in 2006 in Bacolod. Mohn Sharazen Said's goal in the 17th was the first allowed by Britain-raised Filipino Neil Etheridge as RP goalkeeper. Chad Gould tied the match in the 40th, but Gould's and Ian Araneta's efforts to win it for the country were foiled after their shots hit the crossbar. "The game could have gone either way. It was 50-50. But I’m very proud of my players for what they showed," Brunei coach Vjeran Simunic told the AFF website. "It was even, but we created the better chances. We deserve to win – there was no doubt about that," RP coach Juan Cutillas said. Cambodia and the Philippines both have four points on account of a win and a draw, but the hosts hold the provisional top spot because of a superior goals scored. Brunei and Timor Leste (one draw) are tied for third, while Laos is fifth. The top two teams will join Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in the AFF Suzuki Cup finals set in December. The Philippines takes on Laos Tuesday. - GMANews.TV