Azkals coach Dooley frustrated after scoreless draw

“Disappointment” was the watchword amongst the Philippines national team following their 0-0 draw against a shorthanded Singapore on Saturday night in their first match of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

The hosts spent an hour on the power play after Hafiz Sujad was shown a straight red card in the 34th minute, but failed to find a game-winner despite eight shots on target.

“It’s a bit disappointing playing (with a man advantage) for most of the time and not scoring a goal,” head coach Thomas Dooley said after the match. “But they parked the bus in front of the goal. It’s part of the game, but I don’t like it.

“Obviously you want to win the game, and you need to score goals. I love football, I’ve played 40 years of football, but that’s not the kind of game I like to play.”

Attacker Phil Younghusband found few positives to reflect on after leaving two points on the table in front of a supportive home crowd who did their best to fill the cavernous Philippines Sports Stadium over the course of the match.

“Them going down to 10 men early on, it’s something we had to take advantage of so it definitely feels like two points lost,” the 29-year-old said after the final whistle. “I can’t think of any positives right now, but we still have two games to go.

“(Upcoming opponents) Indonesia gave Thailand a tough game. They have speed and some quality so we know it will be a difficult game.”