Under-23 Azkals blank Timor Leste, PH stuns Thailand in men’s beach handball

A FEARLESS attacking show boosted the Philippines to a 4-0 overcome Timor Leste in the beginning of males’s soccer on the thirty first Southeast Asian Video games on the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Vietnam on Friday.

Over at Tuan Chau Island in Quang Nihn Province, the boys’s handball group additionally opened its marketing campaign on a excessive word with an 18-16, 18-16 upset of Thailand, which clinched silver in 2019 behind Vietnam.

However the Filipino seashore handball athletes, who accomplished the rostrum at house in 2019, will put their mettle to a take a look at in opposition to the host and defending champions on Saturday.

Objectives from Christian Rontini, Dennis Chung, Jovin Bedic and Oskari Kekkonen propelled coach Norman Fegidero’s aspect to a primary victory in a tricky Group A that additionally consists of defending champion and host Vietnam, 2019 runner-up Indonesia and Myanmar.

Rontini opened the scoring with a pinpoint header off captain Stephan Schrock’s cross within the eleventh minute, however it wasn’t till the second half when the under-23 Azkals lastly put the Timorese to the sword.

“It is at all times going to be tough going into the event as a result of we do not know precisely the place we’re as a group, however everybody confirmed a number of dedication and self-discipline,” Schrock stated. “The boys did very effectively.”

The Filipinos have a one-day break earlier than taking over the Vietnamese on Sunday in a match that might decide their probabilities of advancing to the semifinals.

“We sleep, eat and we go once more,” stated Schrock, expressing confidence of a robust displaying in opposition to the hosts.

The Philippines nearly doubled the lead within the thirty fifth minute when Sandro Reyes launched Bedic down the center just for the Kaya FC Iloilo striker to spray his shot extensive.

Aside from an early probability, Timor Leste hardly had a sight on objective because the Philippines dominated proceedings at midfield.

Chung, who examined the Timorese goalkeeper twice within the first half, lastly acquired on the scoresheet within the 56th minute thanks to a different fantastic ball from Schrock.

Bedic made it 3-0 within the 78th minute, displaying power and talent in holding off defenders earlier than discovering the again of the web. Kekkonen netted a fourth with a strong strike within the center after being teed up by Oli Bias 9 minutes from time.