Ivan Ouano’s brace denies Timor-Leste win against Philippines in AFF U23 Championship opener

Timor Leste had been held to a 2-2 draw by Philippines within the event opener of the AFF U23 Championship on the Morodok Techno Nationwide Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Fabio Da Silva’s males went forward twice within the match by Mouzinho De Lima (7′) and Jaimito Soares (59′) however failed to carry on to their lead as Ivan Ouano (45′, 62′) scored a brace to assist his group churn out some extent on the last whistle.

It was a brisk begin to the sport because the opener was scored by Timor Leste within the seventh minute of the match by Mouzinho De Lima. Elias Mesquita was fouled contained in the field by Jaime Rosquilo and the referee had no alternative however to level in the direction of the spot. De Lima stored his composure, despatched the goalkeeper the improper means, and calmly slotted the ball into the suitable backside nook of the objective to present his facet the lead.

After getting an early objective Timor Leste began to indicate extra confidence with possession. Mesquita continued to be within the thick of issues and was testing opposition keeper Quincy Kammeraad continuously together with his makes an attempt in the direction of objective. Nevertheless, after the half-hour mark, Philipines began to get a foothold within the match with coach Stewart Corridor urging his gamers to press larger up the pitch. Jacob Maniti and Ivan Ouano additionally began to play in tandem and had been combining fairly nicely within the attacking third.

Simply earlier than the primary half got here to an finish, their efforts had been rewarded. Timor Leste’s centre again Filomeno Da Costa made a mispass whereas taking part in out from the again and Maniti pounced on the error. He arrange Ouano on a platter and the ahead skipped previous the problem of Da Costa to attain with a left-footed strike.

Motion resumed on a good keel after the break as either side went with hammers and tongs at one another to get their nostril forward. Nevertheless, it was Timor Lester who bought to revive their lead within the fifty fifth minute using on a superb strike by Jaimito Soares. The 18-year-old introduced down a protracted ball from midfield with a deft first contact after which skillfully made his means by three white shirts earlier than unleashing a wonderfully positioned shot into the underside nook to complete off the transfer.

Timor Leste might have even bought their insurance coverage objective on the hour-mark if Mouzinho’s pile driver from outdoors the field had not crashed in opposition to the crossbar earlier than going out of play. However Corridor’s males quickly discovered the equaliser within the 62nd minute from a set-piece. Keeper Junildo Pereira couldn’t make a clear save whereas amassing the ball from the nook and Ouano made him pay by pushing the ball into the web from handshaking distance of objective.

After erasing the deficit, Philippines rode on their momentum and stored piling stress on Timor Leste’s backline seeking a winner. The Younger Azkals got here shut on just a few events however Pereira stood tall beneath the sticks to disclaim them a winner.

Philippines will get again to motion within the competitors on February 17 after they go up in opposition to Cambodia, whereas Timor Leste will face Brunei earlier on the identical day.