The Philippine men's national football team ahead of their match against Vietnam in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, December 18, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Handout/PFF-PMNFTMANILA (UPDATED) -- The Philippine men's national football team surrendered a late goal to settle for a 1-1 draw against Vietnam in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, Wednesday evening at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Jarvey Gayoso -- back with the team after his wedding -- had given the Philippines a 1-0 lead in the 68th minute, just moments after coming on for Bjorn Kristensen.

It was Gayoso's third international goal, coming off a Javier Mariona pass after Amani Aguinaldo had punted the ball downfield.

The Filipinos appeared headed for a much-needed victory that would fire up their hopes of advancing to the next round of the tournament.

Unfortunately for Albert Capellas' men, they faltered at the final hurdle as a Doan Ngoc Tan header seven minutes into stoppage time cancelled out Gayoso's left-footed strike.

"I'm very sad for the players," Capellas said after the match. "We deserved more from the last three games, because I know how hard they have worked."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ASEAN United FC (@aseanutdfc)

Capellas noted that it was a "50-50 game" against Vietnam, but fatigue had become a factor for his players. The Filipinos were in their third match in seven days, including travel to and from Laos.

This is the Philippines' third straight draw in Group B -- they opened their campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against Myanmar, then salvaged a 1-1 draw against Laos last Sunday.

READ: Reyes goal rescues a point for PH against Laos in Mitsubishi Electric Cup

READ: PH opens Mitsubishi Electric Cup campaign with Myanmar draw

Capellas stressed that he fully backs his players after their string of results.

"I never will blame a player for a mistake. Never. All of them, they have my hundred percent support. A player who does not play is a player who does not commit a mistake. Football is a game of mistakes," he said.

"It's nothing about set pieces. It's about respecting the players who play," Capellas asserted. 

Despite the heartbreaking finish, the Filipinos can take some heart in getting a point off powerhouse Vietnam for the first time since the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, when a Chieffy Caligdong goal gave the Azkals a 1-0 triumph.

They now have three points heading into Saturday's match against Indonesia, which is a must-win for the Filipinos. However, they do not have their destiny in their hands, as other results must also go their way if they hope to finish in the top two of their group.

Vietnam remain on track to finish as group winners, with seven points from three matches. They play Myanmar, which have four points, on Saturday.

Myanmar had earlier beaten Laos, 3-2, in Yangon to boost their own semifinal chances while also ousting their opponents from contention.

The Philippines is now hoping for at least a draw between Vietnam and Myanmar to advance as group runners-up.