BACOLOD CITY - Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge insists the Philippines still has plenty of room for improvement following its narrow 1-0 victory over Singapore in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup at Panaad Stadium last Tuesday. 
The Azkals stopper, who plays for Cardiff City in the English Premier League, expressed delight over their team’s first victory, but believes the best is yet to come for the team in Group B. 
Patrick Reichelt’s close range strike in the 77th minute gave the Azkals the full three points as well as a first victory against the four-time champion Lions in the competition. 
"I thought we played very well,” said Etheridge, who is playing in his first Suzuki Cup since featuring for the Azkals in their 2010 semifinal run. 
“Defensively, we were very strong with this clean sheet. We know we've got a lot to work on. Singapore came with a plan to sit back. They were hard to break down in all fairness to them. But all in all, we deserved three points.”
Singapore who opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Indonesia at home did not manage to get a single shot on target against the Philippines. 
The Azkals struggled in the early moments of the match with the visitors hardly giving them space in the final third until a flowing move involving brothers Phil and James Younghusband released Reichelt inside the area. The Ceres-Negros winger kept his poise, before firing low past Hassan Sunny.  
The Philippines travels to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday for its duel with winless Timor Leste two days later.
"We know we’re not the finished article yet,” said Etheridge. "We play Timor (Leste) on Saturday. The important thing is we got three points on the board and we’re able to put pressure on the rest of the teams.”
The 28-year-old goalkeeper is also glad to make his return in the competition. 
“It’s my first Suzuki Cup in eight years now,” he said. “It's great to play in such a fantastic competition. We’re very happy in our dressing room but we know the job is far from done."