Reichelt bails out Azkals to win Peace Cup opener

Karl Decena, InterAKTV

The Philippine national men’s football team dominated Guam, but needed a lucky break for its lone goal in a 1-0 victory in their opening match in the Philippine Football Peace Cup Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.


Patrick Reichelt was at the right place at the right time, scoring a header at the 81st minute after tentative defending by the Guamanian goalkeeper.

“I took a chance, and it was a goal. I was lucky,” Reichelt said after the match.


The Filipino-German’s goal, his first in official international play, bailed out the Azkals, who controlled the match but could not convert on opportunity after opportunity.


The Azkals had 19 attempts at goal (10 on target), compared to just nine for Guam (four on target).

Late sub Marvin Angeles had the chance to widen the gap late in the game, but he missed an easy attempt near the goal.

In a friendly match last June, the Azkals toyed with Guam, scoring all three of their goals in the first half en route to the victory. But it was a different story Tuesday night, as the Filipinos to score against an improved Guam team.

Despite the poor finishing, younger Azkals such as Reichelt, Denis Wolf, Carli De Murga, and OJ Porteria displayed impressive skill on the pitch. But the team notably missed the offensive sock of Phil Younghusband, the team’s best striker, who was left off the team for the tournament along with his brother James.

With the victory, the Azkals now stand atop the Peace Cup standings with three points, while Chinese Taipei and Macau, which played a 2-2 draw in the first match, have one point apiece. The team with the best record at the end of the competition wins the title.

The Azkals will face Macau on Thursday and Chinese Taipei on Saturday.

interaksyon