Azkals edge Turkmenistan to advance to AFC Challenge Cup proper

Karl Decena, InterAKTV ·

The Philippine national men’s football team came through a tough challenge from Turkmenistan to notch a 1-0 victory and win Group E of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.


Star striker Phil Younghusband delivered once again for the Azkals, scoring the winning goal at the 67th minute to lift the Azkals to a slot in the Challenge Cup proper in Maldives next year.

The Azkals came out roaring right after the first whistle, as Stephan Schrock intercepted Turkmenistan play which led to a clear shot by Younghusband, whose attempt hit the post at the first minute.

The Filipinos continued to dominate the possession until Turkmenistan got its rhythm and threatened in the attack. The visitors had two straight quality shots but only went to the hands of Azkals goalkeeper Roland Mueller.

The Azkals almost gave up an easy goal at the 45th minute, as a Turkmenistan player got past defender Rob Gier and Mueller right inside the box.

Luckily, defender Carli de Murga was there to flip the ball outside to prevent the neat attack by the visitors and end the halftime with a nil-nil score.

Turkmenistan then became aggressive at the start of the second half, finding at least three shots at the goal which were saved once again by Mueller.

But the Azkals quickly recovered moments after. Defender Dennis Cagara led an attack and dished a pass to striker Javier Patiño, who was guarded well by a Turkmenistan defender.


The trailing Younghusband then found the ball inside the box and fired a shot to give the Azkals a 1-nil lead at the 67th minute.

The Azkals continued to create chances on the offense, but shots by Younghusband and midfielder Chris Greatwich missed the mark.

Younghusband then committed a miscue late in the match as he acquired his second yellow card after grabbing a Turkmenistan player in a play at the 85th minute. Because of that, the striker will be suspended in the Azkals’ first match in the Challenge Cup proper next year.

Despite being down to 10 men, the Azkals maintained their poise on the defensive side against Turkmenistan, which missed two chances to score the equalizer late in the match.

The victory gave the Azkals a measure of revenge against Turkmenistan, which beat them in the semifinals last year of the Challenge Cup.

Advancing to the Challenge Cup proper for the second straight time, the Azkals will aim to surpass their third-place finish in the same tournament last year.


Interaksyon