Despite 6-1 win over Timor-Leste, PHL fails to advance
By Adrian Stewart Co

Despite pulling off a massive 6-1 win over Timor-Leste last night in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna, the Philippine men’s U-22 national football team failed to secure a spot in the semifinals after finishing third in Group A.
Stephan Schröck, midfielder for Philippines Football League champions Ceres-Negros FC, opened scoring for the Philippines in the third minute. Before the end of the first half, defender Amani Aguinaldo doubled the lead with a header in the 42nd minute.
The Philippines went into halftime up 2-0.
Into the second half, defender Mar Diano made it 3-0 in the 54th minute.
Ceres-Negros FC midfielder Dylan De Bruycker then scored in the 75th minute.
Aguinaldo used the closing minutes of the match to earn a hat trick, scoring goals in the 85th and 90th minutes.
Timor-Leste then got on the board with midfielder Nataniel Reis scoring a consolation goal in stoppage time.
Unfortunately for the host squad, Cambodia’s 3-1 win over Malaysia cliched a semifinal berth for the former. Meanwhile, Myanmar finished atop Group A with an undefeated record, winning four matches and drawing one./ASC, WDJ