Azkals end UAE tour with loss to Aussie XI

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals concluded their tour in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a loss against Qantas Australia Under-23 team in Dubai.

Except for a first-half blunder that gave Qantas a 1-0 advantage, the Nationals were able to give the Aussies a good challenge.

Australia grabbed the lead in the 11th minute when team captain Jason Hoffman scored a header off an attempted clearance by Azkals’ Juan Luis Guirado.

The Azkals, who were joined by Filipino-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, showed resiliency in the second half and came close to scoring an equalizer.

Joshua Beloya almost scored late in the game after receiving a pass from Lexton Moy inside the penalty area. His shot, however, went over the cross bar.

Dennis Wolf also came close to scoring a goal after evading the Australian defense but was stopped in the penalty area.

The final score was 1-0 in favor of the Australians.

The Nationals played minus siblings Phil and James Younghusband, who both had to return to Manila for prior commitments.

The game was the Azkals’ 3rd and final friendly game in their UAE tour.

They lost to the Uzbekistan Olympic team, 0-3, but produced a 3-1 win over Qatar pro football team Al Ahli.

The games are part of the Azkals’ preparations for the 2012 Challenge Cup in Nepal next month where they will be up against defending champion North Korea, India, and Tajikistan.

ABS CBN News