Azkals fall to hosts in Bahrain friendly

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine national football team fell short against Bahrain, 2-1, despite a late game rally in the adversary’s home stadium in Manama, Bahrain on Monday, March 30.

The Azkals opened the match with a better posture over their foes, pressuring the ball on several chances but their chances couldn’t penetrate the quick responding Bahrain defense.

Striker Phil Younghusband had a better chance to clinch an opener for the Philippines in the 21st minute but the ball was snagged by the gloves of the rival team’s goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, after 29 minutes of play, the home team managed to capture the first goal of the contest off a corner courtesy of Faouzi Mubarak.

Bahrain’s lead immediately doubled to 2-0 following the score by Mubarak as a shot from a free kick by Abdulla Yaser from a distance left Azkals goalkeeper Roland Muller hanging and found the back of the net.

The Philippine national booters had a much-needed dose of confidence in the 61st minute as Manny Ott connected from outside the box to cut the deficit to just a solitary margin.

Coach Thomas Dooley’s men scrambled to keep their offense going as time winded down on the first friendly match of the Azkals for 2015 as Patrick Reichelt found P. Younghusband off a cross but the latter sent in wide in the 84th minute.

Despite several last ditch efforts to notch an equalizer late in the match, the Azkals were left to settle for a 2-1 loss against their host country’s national team. – Rappler.com