Host Bangladesh secured a place in the semi-final of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup after Philippines handed Laos a 3-1 defeat in the Group B game of three penalties at Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday.
Philippines also moved through to the last four while Laos, who conceded a 1-0 defeat to Bangladesh in the opening match, have seen the exit door after two straight defeats in as many matches.
Bangladesh and Philippines take on each other in the final group stage match Friday to decide the group winner. The semi-finals will be held Tuesday and Wednesday.
Earlier, Bangladesh head coach Jamie Day hinted after the first game that if Philippines won he would “experiment a little bit” with the formation during the last group stage match.
As many as five Philippines players landed in the host city Wednesday morning and two of them – defender Julian Clarino and midfielder Nathanael Alquiros – started the game in the evening straight away and left impact in the game.
The Sylhet District Stadium the venue for group games of Bangabandhu Gold Cup, would be remembered for an unreal scene four years ago when spectators broke the gate to get inside the venue during a friendly between the U23 teams of Bangladesh & Nepal.https://t.co/Z2qzLrkM9p#BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 2, 2018
Philippines dominated the game and took the lead through Jovin Bedic in the 43rd minute from a cool penalty after the forward was brought down by Laos center-back Souksun Souksavath at left side of the box.
Javier Augustine Gayoso doubled the lead eight minutes into the second half, heading home through the hands of the goalkeeper after meeting a cross by Minegish Hikaru from the left side.
Skipper Misagh Bahadoran extended the lead in the 81st minute from another penalty after Laos defender Souksun Souksavath committed a handball inside the box following a cross by substitute Paolo Salenga, who also arrived in Sylhet in the morning.
Laos scored a consolation in the 88th minute from the third penalty of the game.
Hikaru Minegishi fouled Phithack Kongmathilath, who took the successful shot from the spot.
Bangladesh start Bangabandhu Gold Cup with 1-0 win over Laos https://t.co/xjMUUVnU8a
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 1, 2018
RESULT
Philippines 3 (Bedic 43-P, Gayoso 53, Misagh 81-P) 1 Laos (Phithack 88-P)
