RELIEVER, rescuer, savior.
Unheralded Fil-German striker Dennis Chung was all this and more for an embattled National Under-22 squad against upset-conscious Cambodia last Monday night.
Coming off the bench for Dylan de Bruycker in the 88th minute, Chung scored the tying goal in the 93rd minute, much to the delight and relief of 2,980 hometown fans who witnessed the pulsating Group A match at the start of 30th Southeast Asian Games soccer action at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
In the other Group A match, Malaysia and Myanmar also battled to a 1-all standoff while Vietnam got off to a sizzling start in Group B by swamping Brunei 6-0.
The Filipinos tackle the dangerous Burmese today, Wednesday. In women’s play, the Malditas were scheduled to play Myanmar last night at the Binan Stadium after the game between defending women’s champion Vietnam and Thailand.
Veteran midfielder and skipper Stephan Schrock had a hand in Chung’s goal, feeding his fellow Fil-German, who saw a sliver of light as the Cambodian defense broke down to slot in the equalizer from 10 yards.
Until then, the visitors had the upper hand against their fancied hosts, with striker Keo Sukpheng scoring first blood in the 41st minute from the right wing past the sloppy Philippine defense.
Also sharing the Cambodian spotlight was goalie Keo Sorsela, who had his hands full in parrying the Junior Azkals’ repeated attacks with his brilliant saves, only to come to grief with just two minutes to go in injury time.
