Azkals battle defending champ Thailand to draw in Suzuki Cup

The Philippines overcame a second-half deficit to come out with a 1-1 draw against defending champion Thailand in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup on Wednesday.

The Azkals did it in dramatic fashion, with substitute Jovin Bedic scoring the equalizer at the 80th minute to the delight of the raucous crowd in Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

Substitute Jovin Bedic grabs a dramatic equalizer with the ball rolling into goal after hitting the post! ????
#AFFSuzukiCup18 #TimeToShine #PHIvTHA

Follow the match LIVE ???? https://t.co/bafyDENbm9 pic.twitter.com/3FeyFJk05j

— AFF Suzuki Cup (@affsuzukicup) November 21, 2018

Supachai Jaided earlier scored the breakthrough goal for Thailand, the favorites heading into the competition.

The result kept both the Philippines and Thailand unbeaten atop Group B of the competition with seven points apiece. The Azkals won its first two assignments against Singapore and Timor Leste.

That gives the Philippines a golden opportunity to advance to the semifinals as it takes on Indonesia for its final assignment at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Sunday. A victory will give the Azkals a ticket back to the final four of the competition after it missed that bus in 2016. —JST, GMA News