Philippine defender sent off for hitting Laos player in AFF U23 Championship

The game on Friday in Rayong, Thailand, became increasingly ugly in the last 30 minutes.

In the 76th minute Laos attacker Souphan Khambai On, while trying a clearance, knocked Rosquillo to the ground. The Philippine defender angrily got up and kicked and elbowed On.

Some of the other players also joined the fracas.

After breaking up the fight, Thai referee Songkran Bunmeekiart gave Rosquillo a red card and sent him off.

A screenshot of the referee giving Jaime Rosquillo (number 14) a straight red card in the AFF U23 Championship on August 18, 2023

In the remaining period, the two sides got into confrontations three more times, but the referee kept things under control.

Philippine coach Christopher Pedimonte and Laos coach Guglielmo Arena protested angrily, but Bunmeekiart remained unfazed and even gave the latter a yellow card.

The Philippines opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through a header from Selwyn Mamon. Laos equalized in the 39th minute with captain Khamsa Nga Phimmasone’s goal following an error by Philippine goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang.

After Rosquillo's red card, the Philippines suddenly found a goal in the third minute of extra time when Yrick Gallantes dribbled past two Lao players on the left flank before crossing to Dennis Chung to finish.

But they could not defend their lead for long and goalkeeper Mangaoang made a second mistake in the fifth minute.

On took a shot from a narrow angle on the right, and he let the ball slip out of his hands and into the net.

With this draw, both teams will have difficulty advancing to the semifinals.

They will play defending champions Vietnam in their next group match and only the group winner will advance.

The 10 teams are divided into three groups, with the best second-placed team joining the group winners in the semifinals.