Younghusband lifts Azkals past Turkmenistan

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals finally got their revenge against the Turkmenistan Green Men after winning the final game of the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers Group E, 1-0, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium Tuesday night, March 26.

Phil Younghusband played the hero once again for the national booters, scoring in the 66th minute after a beautiful play with Dennis Cagara and Javier Patino inside the box.

However, the Azkals star striker’s day ended early in the 84th minute after garnering his second yellow card after the referee saw the younger Younghusband tugging at the jersey of a Turkmenistan defender.

The 66th minute goal was Phil’s 5th goal in the qualifiers after two matches. His first 4 goals came at the expense of Cambodia.

Fair share of chances

Both teams had their fair share of chances but neither were unable to convert these chances into goals. The first chance came for the Philippines in the first minute after Stephan Schrock made a steal and passed to Phil Younghusband, whose strike hit the post.

Another chance came for the Azkals in the 3rd minute after Schrock’s corner fell into Patino, who headed it skyhigh.

Turkmenistan’s chance came in the 12th minute after a player saw a hole in the Azkals defense and went on a one-on-one with Muller but his shot was saved.

In the 36th minute, the Green Men garnered a freekick and made a potent chance but Muller was up to the task and saved the ball.

The Green Men had their final chance to equalize in the 93rd minute but the MSV Duisburg keeper quickly collected it again.

At the start of the second half, both teams exchanged attacks with brilliant ball possessions and end-to-end action but the home squad prevailed with a timely goal from last edition’s Golden Boot awardee.

The Philippines topped Group E of AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers and got an outright berth in the main tournament in Maldives in 2014. – Rappler.com