For the first time in more than 58 years, the Philippines has secured a victory in the men’s football tournament of the Asian Games.
Keeping his nerves in check, Andres Aldeguer converted a late penalty as the Philippine Men’s Under-23 National Team outlasted Kuwait, 2-1, at the CS Asset Minato Soccer Stadium to end its 20th Asian Games campaign on a high note.
With the match level at 1-1, Jax Peña’s drive and clever footwork earned the Philippines a spot-kick in the 89th minute.
Aldeguer stepped up and calmly struck the ball into the bottom-left corner to seal the victory for Garrath McPherson’s side.
It was a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same. When the Philippines last won an Asian Games men’s football match in 1958 — a 1-0 victory over Japan — an Aldeguer, George Aldeguer, scored the winning goal in that historic triumph.
Andres Aldeguer’s winner capped a memorable afternoon for the Philippines, which got off to a strong start when Santi Rublico scored from close range off Michael Baldisimo’s cross in the 18th minute.
Not even Scott Woods’ accidental own goal in the 65th minute, which leveled the contest, could prevent the Philippines from securing a memorable victory.
The result gave the Philippines three points in Group C, good for third place, and allowed the team to close its Asian Games campaign on a winning note.
