Sporting Kansas City midfielder Martin Steuble earned his 16th cap of 2014 on Saturday as the Philippines and Thailand battled to a 0-0 draw in the first leg semifinal of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.
The result at Rizal Memorial Stadium, the Philippines’ national stadium in Manilla, means that the winner of Wednesday’s second leg in Bangkok, Thailand will progress to the two-legged finals beginning Dec. 17.
A right winger in the Philippines’ 4-2-3-1 formation, Steuble recorded his fourth straight 90-minute outing and has played in every minute of the Azkals’ Suzuki Cup campaign. He contributed two shots, created one goal scoring chance and completed 82 percent of his passes.
Group A runners-up with a 2-1-0 record, the Philippines limited Thailand to one shot on target and held a 56 percent edge in possession. Thailand failed to win for the first time in the competition after posting a 3-0-0 record in Group B.
The tournament’s other semifinal matchup features Group A winner and co-host Vietnam against Group B runners-up Malaysia. Sunday’s first leg in Malaysia will set the stage for a decisive second leg on Thursday in Vietnam.
Coached by former United States Men’s National Team captain Thomas Dooley, the Philippines is ranked No. 128 in the latest FIFA rankings.
Steuble’s 16 caps in 2014 are the most by a Sporting KC player this year. He joined the MLS club on July 16 from Swiss side FC Wil 1900, featured in an international friendly against Manchester City on July 23 and made his MLS debut against the Philadelphia Union on Aug. 1 for the first of three league appearances. The midfielder previously spent his entire professional career in Switzerland, featuring for FC Wil 1900, Grasshopper Zurich, Lausanne Sport, FC Wohlen, and Neuchâtel Xamax.
Steuble committed to the Philippines Men's National Team in 2013, made his international debut this March and scored his first Azkal goal in April. He competed in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup in May, helping the Philippines to a second place finish, and most recently scored in the AFF Suzuki Cup group stage on Nov. 25.
Steuble is one of seven Sporting KC players to compete on the international level in 2014, joining Matt Besler (USA), Graham Zusi (USA), Lawrence Olum (Kenya), Jorge Claros (Honduras), Soony Saad (Lebanon) and Erik Palmer Brown (USA U-20).
