Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 6) – The campaign of Team Philippines in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam is off to a good start after the beach handball and men’s football national teams earned victories on Friday against their respective rivals.
The country’s campaign kicked off six days before the biennial sporting event’s opening ceremony on May 12.
The Philippine men’s beach handball squad scored a huge win against 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Thailand, 18-16, 18-16, at the Tuan Chau Resort Ha Long in Quang Ninh.
The opening assignment victory is a huge morale booster for the Filipinos, who will next battle defending SEA Games champion and host country Vietnam on Saturday at 6 p.m. (Philippine time).
“We’re just so happy that we were able to get this victory to start the Philippine campaign for the 31st SEA Games with a win,” national handball team head coach Jana Franquelli told CNN Philippines.
The 31st SEA Games beach handball competition follows a round-robin format to determine the medalists in the event. It will run until May 11.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Azkals Under-23 squad disposed Timor Leste, 2-0, to get their first win in Group A of the tournament held at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho.
Christian Rontini fired a header for the Philippines’ maiden goal in the 10th minute as he completed the set piece made by team captain Stephan Schrock inside the box.
The Azkals doubled their advantage in the 55th minute with Dennis Chung striking the goal off a running attack, thanks to another assist by Schrock.
The Filipinos got a hat trick in the 78th minute as Jovin Bedic, the other senior member of the Azkals U-23 squad, hurdled two Timor Leste defenders to score a fantastic right-footer goal.
Three minutes after Bedic’s goal, the Azkals’ lead ballooned to four points after midfielder Oskari Kekkonen received a pass from Oliver Bias inside the box and made the strike right at the middle of the goal box.
Timor Leste failed to produce valuable set pieces and shots on target in the second half as they were overwhelmed by the dominant attacking of the Philippines.
The Filipinos will have a tough assignment on Sunday as they will face reigning gold medalist and host country Vietnam at 9 p.m. (Philippine time).
