AZKALS STUNS THE ASIAN REGION ONCE AGAIN

Pilipinas United

KATHMANDU, NEPAL - Last Tuesday, March 13, 2012 we witness another historic day for Philippine football as the national team popularly called "The Azkals or Underdogs" recorded a come-from-behind 2-1 win over former champion Tajikistan (no. 145 in the world) to book their first appearance in the semi-finals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

The Philippine Azkals took the hard the way through to the competition's main stage. They beat Mongolia first in the qualifiers 3-2 on aggregate before being drawn in the group stage against Palestine, Myanmar and Bangladesh. In the group, they finished undefeated but only second (behind Palestine) with one win and two draws, completing their qualification for their first stint in the final-eight, drawn into two groups, where the top two teams will face each other in semis. 

The Philippines was slotted in Group B where they face the last three champions of the AFC Challenge Cup as the media call them the "Group of Death" - Defending champion and 2010 World Cup finalist North Korea, 2008 winners India and the inaugural champion Tajikistan in 2006. While host Nepal was with Maldives, Palestine and Turkmenistan lurking in Group A.

Before the tournament, Coach Michael Weiss hint that he will scrabble the best line up available after conducting a successful pre-tourney friendly matches int he Middle East and in the Philippines.

The Filipino booters were shattered in their first fixture against world no. 111 and defending champion North Korea. They lost 2-0, conceding two goals in the last forty minutes despite their first half defensive display and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge's heroic saves. In the next game, the Philippines recovered brilliantly as Azkals' talisman Phil Younghusband fired a brace to score an upset win over former champion India 2-0. After two matches, the Philippines and Tajikistan were tied at the table with 3 points each both behind leaders North Korea with perfect six points and three points ahead of a winless Indian team.

That force a sudden-death game, where the Filipinos didn't disappoint they supporters. After allowing a last-gasp (oftenly called "contoversial") goal before half-time, the Azkals engineered a great comeback to stun not only Tajikistan but also the Asian region once again. Philippines' midfielder Angel Guirado shines at the wings as he collects a Tajikistan defensive mistake in the left flank and pass neatly to the unmarked striker Phil Younghusband who calmly slotted the equaliser from close-range to tie the game at 1-1 in over thirty-minutes left. The Tajikistan managed to counter and created many chances but the Philippine defensive line was solid-rock and resistant to concede another goal. Fulham third-choice keeper Etheridge once again was proven vital at the back as well as the in-form defender Jason Sabio and Paul Maulders also made an impact at the holding midfield position. With at least eighty-minutes gone, the Philippines controlled the midfield and enjoyed the run of possession leading to the the superb counter-attacking style that saw the late-winner for the Filipino side. Angel Guirado fired a header past Tajik keeper Alisher Tuychiev from a curling Phil Younghusband's cross in the right wings and gave the Philippines the ticket to the semi-finals in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup semi-finals for the first time in Azkals' history. The Tajik side tried to pull-backed a leveller but the Philippine Azkals was brilliant from all-over from defensive duties,  departments which saw them nearly managed a third-goal as Phil Younghusband strikes just inches beyond the crossbar. Thus, the final whistle goes up and the Philippines make another giant step forward toward success to finished Group B runners-up behind unbeaten leaders North Korea and make the final-four. The Azkals will now face Group A winners Turkmenistan, ranked 166 in the world, to make it to the finals. It will be held Dasarath Rangalsa stadium, Friday March 16 4:45 pm in Philippine Time aired live on Filipino channel Studio 23. Good Luck Azkals!