Kicking off the 31st Southeast Asian Games in style for the Young Azkals

Photo Credits: Zing News

Looking for a dream start to the 31st Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines went on the offensive right from the get-go to produce a dominant performance over Timor Leste whose been giving the Philippines quite a headache over the past few U23 tournaments.

Goals from Christian Rontini, Dennis Chung, Jovin Bedic, and Oskari Kekkonen gave the Philippines the all-important three points to start on the right foot in this year's tournament that sees the Philippines grouped with Timor Leste, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia.

The opening salvo of the match saw the Young Azkals step on the gas and tested Timor Leste right away. With balls coming in from left to right, Timor Leste was a bit clueless about where the next attack would come.

Compared to their previous outings, there was a feeling of composure as the Young Azkals were able to keep the ball on the ground and maintain possession with proper intentions.

Christian Rontini scored the opener in the 11th minute after a corner from Oliver Bias found Rontini's head and into the back of the net.

Showing their clear intentions to make it deeper into the tournament, the Philippines have shown their strength in the first half as they held onto the ball most of the time and they were able to make it work for them.

A couple of chances went begging from their veterans Stephan Schröck and Jovin Bedic but still were welcoming signs for the Philippines.

In the second half, the Philippines continued their pressure on Timor Leste and it paid off again in the 56th minute.

Schröck found himself with acres of space to operate then sent in a lovely entry pass to Dennis Chung who then slots it over the keeper to score their second goal of the match and solidify their advantage over Timor Leste.

The chances kept on coming for the Young Azkals who were reeling off a fantastic form thanks to their preparation through the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara. Oliver Bias took a strike in the 62nd minute but the goalkeeper punched it out for a corner.

After a lot of knocking on the doors of Timor Leste, Bedic would then score the third goal of the match in the 78th minute after working hard to shake off three defenders before slotting it past the keeper.

The goals kept on coming for the Young Azkals as in the 80th minute, Oskari Kekkonen joined the party thanks to Bias who laid it off for him to blast to the roof of the goal.

Jaime Rosquillo, who came in on the 52nd minute for Yrick Gallantes tried to join the parade but his strike in the second minute of added time saw Junildo Pereira reading it from miles away.

With four goals in the bag, the Young Azkals are off to a great start in their quest to make it to the medal rounds of the Southeast Asian Games, a feat they painfully missed out on last 2019 merely on goal difference.

They will be facing the defending champions and tournament hosts Vietnam on May 8, 2022, at 8 PM PH time which will surely be an exciting match.