2 – 1
“Santi Rublico opens the scoring for Philippines U23 after a corner is worked into the box.”
Pivotal“Scott Woods turns the ball into his own net under pressure from a Kuwait corner, leveling the score at 1-1.”
Pivotal“Deep into stoppage time, Andres Aldeguer steps up and converts a penalty to hand Philippines a dramatic winner.”
Pivotal
Philippines U23
Kuwait U23Philippines U23 rode an early Santi Rublico strike and then survived a second-half onslaught from Kuwait, who dominated the ball for long spells and racked up 63 dangerous attacks to their opponents' 33. Kuwait's pressure told when Scott Woods turned the ball into his own net just after the hour mark, but despite controlling territory and forcing more corners, Kuwait couldn't find the killer touch themselves. Philippines were far more clinical, converting 8 of their 11 shots on target compared to Kuwait's modest return, and that efficiency paid off when Andres Aldeguer coolly slotted home a 90th-minute penalty to snatch victory from what looked like a hard-fought draw. The result is a huge confidence boost for a Philippines side ranked well outside the promotion picture, while Kuwait will rue their profligacy in front of goal despite the lion's share of possession and attacking momentum.
How entertaining was this match?
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
Moath Al-Enezi is on, and Fawaz Al Mubailish is off.
On Kamil Jaser, off John Lucero.
Substitution: Bryan Villanueva comes on for Santi Rublico.
Corner awarded.
Abdulaziz Al-Shammari comes on for Moath Al-Enezi.
Corner awarded.
On Jax, off Michael Baldisimo.
Goal! An own goal by Scott Woods levels the score at 1-1.
Goal! The score is now 1-1.
Humoud Al Sanousi is on, and Talal Al Qaisi is off.
Corner awarded.
Brian McManus is substituted for Antoine Ortega.
Corner awarded.
Dov Carino is on, and Ethan Smith is off.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card shown to Antoine Ortega.
Mohammad Al-Suraiei is on, and Jasem Shammouh is off.
Mohammad Talal Al Sharifi is substituted for Bandar Al Barazi.
First half ends with the score at 1-0.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Goal! Santi Rublico scores to make it 1-0.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off has begun!
Both sides arrive bruised in Group C, with Philippines U23 winless and reeling from a 5-1 thrashing by Uzbekistan and a 0-2 loss to Vietnam. Kuwait U23, fresh off a battling 1-1 draw with Vietnam, will fancy their chances of consolidating third place at the expense of a struggling Filipino side.
