30th SEA GAMES: MANILA- Malditas force draw vs Myanmar XI; Indonesians shock Thais

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Malditas flashed superb defensive skills and held 2017 bronze medalist Myanmar to a scoreless draw in women’s football of the 30th SEA Games at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna last night.

The Malditas also had a number of missed attempts, including Quinley Quezada’s long bid that hit the crossbar in the 24th minute and Camille Rodriguez’s shot in the 59th but those proved inconsequential as they likewise foiled their rivals’ number of attacks with their quickness and timely interventions to salvage a point in Group A.

Myanmar, on the offensive all night, had its own clear chance in the 67th but skipper Khin Marlar Tun’s shot hit the top of the bar, enabling the hosts and the home fans to heave a sigh of relief.

Earlier, Indonesia shocked defending champion Thailand in men’s football at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, hacking out a 2-0 victory that served notice for the gold-medal bid of the bronze medalists in Kuala Lumpur.

Egy Maulana Vikri and Osvaldo Haay delivered the goals for this year’s AFF U-22 champions with the former scoring with just four minutes chopped on the clock. Haay capped their big win with a goal in the last four minutes of the contest.

The Phl Azkals, meanwhile, take on the Myanmar side at 4 p.m. today as men’s action resumes at the Rizal Memorial football stadium.

The hosts averted what could’ve been an embarrassing loss to lightweight Cambodia late Monday as rookie Dennis Chung came off the bench to fire a game-tying goal (1-1) with the time ticking to its final minute.

But the Azkals will need more than luck against the Myanmar booters, seeking to better their fourth place finish in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.