MANILA – Bienve Maranon saved his best for last as he led the Philippine Azkals' charge in a 3-2 win over Myanmar on the final day of Group A festivities of the AFF Suzuki Cup group stages on Saturday night at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore.
Despite already being eliminated from semifinal contention, the Azkals ended their campaign on a high note as Maranon tallied a first-half hat trick that turned out to be enough as Myanmar's late comeback fell short.
Maranon quickly tallied a brace with goals in the 16th and 19th minutes to put the Azkals ahead.
He then capped the first half with a 45th-minute goal for the 3-0 count.
Substitute winger Htet Phyo Wai came alive for Myanmar late in the second half, netting a brace in the 74th and 86th minutes, but that was all the Burmese squad could draw near into as the Azkals escaped with the win.
The Azkals will finish the group stages in third place for Group A with six points, while Myanmar will settle for fourth place with three points.
Meanwhile, Thailand sealed the top seed in Group A after taking down tournament host Singapore, 2-0, at the Singapore National Stadium.
Elias Dolah put Thailand on the board with a 31st-minute goal, while Supachai Jaided eventually iced the game with a goal just before halftime.
This means Thailand will face which among Indonesia and Vietnam will fall to second place in Group B action in the semifinals, while Singapore, which will settle for the second seed in Group A, will take on Group B's top seed in the other semifinal pairing.
Indonesia and Vietnam remained tied for first place in the said group following a goalless draw in their meeting on Wednesday night, but Indonesia currently holds the tiebreaker on a better total goal difference.
Indonesia will take on Malaysia, and Vietnam will battle Cambodia on Sunday night in simultaneous 8:30 p.m. kickoffs. (PNA)
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