Thailand claimed top spot in Group B despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Philippines in their FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 1 tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A second-half comeback saw Vietnam rally to sink a stubborn Pakistan side 4-2 and secure their place in the third place playoff against Malaysia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philippines entered the final day of group stage action needing both a win against an already-qualified Thailand side, as well as for Pakistan to upset Vietnam in the other group fixture, if they were to reach the third place playoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both coaches shuffled their pack for this section closer, with Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson making nine changes, and Carles Cuadrat switching seven from their previous outing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After adverse weather had delayed kick-off, it took the Philippines just three minutes to take the lead. It was a goal scripted by marauding right-back Paul Tabinas and published by the prolific Bjorn Kristensen, sweeping home for his 15th international goal, in just his 20th appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They had several further first half openings, as Kenji Nishioka narrowly failed to meet a teasing Paul Tabinas cross, and Andre Leipold flashed an effort wide of the Thai goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chances missed led to prices paid as Iklas Sanron scored a stunning leveller ten minutes into the second period. The Buriram starlet was something of a surprise selection for the tournament but he justified his place with a delightful chipped effort from the top of the box to pull Thailand level with his first international goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a back-and-forth clash, the Philippines re-took the lead as a weaving run from Leipold saw him set up a second for Kristensen. That goal moves him into joint-second place on the all-time scorers list for his nation and helped them finish on a high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thailand now need to re-group ahead of Monday\u2019s final against Indonesia in Jakarta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite sitting 99 places further down the World Ranking than their opponents, Pakistan started the match against Vietnam brightly and took a surprise lead.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Centre-back Ullah pressed the Vietnam defence into submission and raced on to a slack back pass before slotting in his first international goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nolberto Solano’s side, buoyed by a comeback draw versus the Philippines last time out, gave up very little before the break, with Williams Minh Hoang firing their only chance of note into the side-netting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kim Sang-sik rung the changes at half time and quickly saw his side wrestle back control. New arrival Phan Tuan Tai slid a ball down the left which Nguyen Hai Long collected before cutting inside and bending home the equaliser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They had their second soon after as fellow half-time substitute Nguyen Dinh Bac chased a long ball and laid back for Hoang Duc to lash home a superb first-time effort from just outside the area. Dinh Bac then added one himself as the No9 burst past a tired Pakistan defence before lashing into the bottom-left corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solano’s side regained a brief foothold when Khan’s long-range effort deflected past Le Giang Patrik. Their comeback was short-lived, though, as Williams tucked home his first international goal following another incisive Dinh Bac through ball.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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