Laos shock toothless Philippines as game ends in fight, 2-1

Laos pulled off a shock win as they converted two penalties to score both goals at the New Laos National Stadium, Monday. Kanya Kounvongsa scored in the 53rd minute after Visay Phaphouvanin was fouled by Rob Gier, before an almost carbon copy foul on the Laotian top scorer saw him step up to double Laos’ lead in the 79th minute. Jason Sabio’s long throw then found its way to Rob Gier who poked the ball into the net for the Azkals’ consolation goal as the Philippines looked tired and jaded after three away matches in six days, falling 2-1. First half Laos offered a different challenge to Singapore on what may have been the best pitch of the three games. With speed and technical skill the Laotians tried to pass and move and looked sharp on the counter. For the Azkals it took until the 20th minute to get a decent effort at goal with Paul Mulders beating the offside trap and crossing in for Denis Wolf, but the Global striker headed far wide of goal. Moments later Paul Mulders played in Chieffy on the left and the winger burst forward to get to the byline. Mulders kept running and made it into the box for Chieffy’s cross, but the delivery was just a bit far for Mulders, who adjusted but still couldn’t get it on target. Laos, meanwhile, continued their fluid pass and move football and regularly eased past the midfield. Their final shots lacked intention though, as Kanya Kounvongsa first turned, then fired into Jeffrey Christiaens from inside the box. Replays showed it hit Christiaens on the hand but Laos didn’t appeal for a penalty. Jason Sabio then made a last-ditch tackle as one forward jinxed past two defenders and had a clear sight at goal before Sabio’s well-timed stab at the ball. Laos continued to belie their 193 FIFA ranking as their fluid passing sent through one attacker on goal, but Etheridge came out to kick the ball away before he could reach it, the attacker instead receiving a heavy knee to the face as the two challenged for the ball. Little else happened in the half as neither team managed to create a clear-cut chance. On the back of a 2-0 win against Singapore, and considering Laos hasn’t kept a clean sheet since October 2010, a goal-less first half was surprising. Even worse for the Azkals was that the very young side of Laos had seven shots, one on target, to the Azkals’ four shots, all off target for the first half. Second half At the break, Laos made four changes, while Azkals coach Michael Weiss brought on Misagh Bahadoran for Chieffy Caligdong. Given the vast difference in FIFA ranks between Laos and the Philippines, the new coach of Laos, Kokichi Kimura, must have been happy with the performance so far but he was going to become much happier soon after. Laos again started the brighter side and Visay Phaphouvanin won a penalty for Laos in the 52nd minute as he cleverly waited for Rob Gier’s lunging tackle. Converting the penalty, Kanya Kounvongsa sent Etheridge the wrong way for his first goal for Laos. Soon after the news got worse for the Azkals as Marwin Angeles picked up a knock and was replaced by Anto Gonzales. Denis Wolf then made way for Ian Araneta, who was looking for his tenth goal in Philippine football, but his first contribution was to rue a chance as the Laotian keeper rushed out to tackle Misagh Bahadoran. After the chance, though, one of the Laotian players actually punched Misagh in his face as he tangled with him off the ball. The referee didn’t see it though and only gave one player a card for dissent. Shortly after though, Schröck and Sabio got stuck into Keoviengphet Liththideth who reacted badly to a tackle. Several players then jumped in and a melee ensued as players starting pushing and punching each other. With Laos’ cameramen focusing on the crowd and not showing what happened, the details will remain unknown for some time but eventually the referee sent off Misagh Bahadoran and one player from Laos. Minutes after the brawl, Visay Phaphouvanin was sent through on goal with Neil Etheridge sprinting to meet him. Flinging himself at the Laotian top scorer’s feet, Etheridge took him out and Laos won their second penalty of the night. Phaphouvanin this time took the penalty himself and slotted the ball into the right corner of the goal to give Laos a two goal lead and score his seventeenth goal for the National side. The Philippines had chances to pull a goal back as first Paul Mulders volleyed just wide, before Patrick Reichelt received the ball on the right, turned his man but curled over from only 12 yards out. The final chance of the evening fell to Paul Mulders who struck from 20 yards out, but the ball just whistled over the bar. With only three minutes injury time given, the Azkals didn’t give up. Jason Sabio’s long throw was first handled in the area but found its way to Rob Gier, who scored his first goal for the Philippines. A minute later, however, and the full time whistle sounded to bring to an end a disappointing night for the Azkals A reverse in fortunes For their first game in 2012 Laos played well and showed some great potential. Since 1995, where head-to-head records begin, Laos have clearly had the better of matches between the two nations with six wins and two draws in the eight matches. Now Laos add a seventh win over the Philippines in what is interestingly the first international friendly between Laos and the Philippines. And it brings to a halt the changing fortunes of the countries this year as Laos dropped to their lowest FIFA ranking ever at 194 in the world last month while the Philippines continue to rapidly rise reaching their highest rank ever earlier this year when they were 148th. This loss, however, was a surprise. Heavily favored to follow their victory over Singapore with another win against Laos, the Philippines will have two weeks to now prepare for the Philippine Football Peace Cup. In the absence of the Younghusband brothers and Jerry Lucena, the Philippines looked toothless up front taking thirteen shots at goal but only getting two shots on target.  - AMD, GMA News