Philippines, Bangladesh through

Philippines began their Bangabandhu Gold Cup campaign in style with an empathic 3-1 win over Laos in their Group B encounter at the Sylhet District Stadium yesterday.

The win not only put Philippines into the last-four but also took hosts Bangladesh to the semifinals as Laos were eliminated with two consecutive defeats.

Bangladesh and Philippines will play the group-deciding match on Friday, with the later avoiding the prospect of being eliminated from the group stage like last month's SAFF Championship.

Jovin Bedic, Javier Augustine Gayoso and Misagh Bahadoran scored one goal apiece before Phithack Kongmathilath pulled one goal back for Laos. 

Philippines, who brought a second-string side following an October 13 international friendly against Oman, were still too strong for Laos and gave a strong message to the home side ahead of their match.

Five players of Philippines team arrived in Sylhet yesterday and two of them were in the starting eleven while one played as a substitute. Even they trained among themselves without the coaching staff, who also arrived with the players yesterday.

Despite those odds, Philippines showed their character to put pressure on Laos from the word go. Bedic put Philippines ahead from a spot-kick after Souksun Souksavath brought him down inside the danger zone in the 43rd minute. Gayoso made it 2-0 after heading home a Minegish Hikaru cross from the right flank in the 53rd minute.

Laos gave away a second penalty after Soukson handed a cross from Paolo Selenga and captain Misagh converted from spot in the 81st minute while Laos scored a consolation goal when Phithack Kongmathilath converted the third penalty of the match two minutes from time.