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MANILA, Philippines — Newly-recruited but already-prized Azkal Javier Patino continued his scoring ways in Thailand as he scored two goals in Buriram United’s 6-1 thrashing of Songkhla United in a Thai Premier League game Saturday night, April 6.
The former Cordoba standout proved his mettle as a world-class striker as he outshone everybody on the pitch in his first league game outside Spain’s Liga Adelante, the second tier league in one of the most famed footballing nations in the planet.
The 25-year-old Filipino-Spanish has already scored two goals in as many appearances for the Philippines. He also scored a brace in his debut for the Azkals in an 8-0 win over Cambodia while came close to scoring against Turkmenistan two days later.
Philippines coach Hans Michael Weiss sounded his admiration for the striker during the pre-tournament press con of the AFC Challenge Cup Group E qualifiers in Manila.
“The boy has come in February twice in order to clear his papers. It shows his dedication to the team. It’s good that he’s playing for Buriram so that he’s closer to the Philippines,”said the German coach of the Azkals.
Patino has built up his reputation in Spain by scoring 10 goals in his 52 appearances for Cordoba since 2011. He also put up an impressive performance, albeit failing to put the ball in the net, against the star-studded FC Barcelona in this year’s Copa del Rey.
His inclusion to the Azkals lineup has taken the burden off long-time striker Phil Younghusband’s back when it comes to providing the goals for the Philippines with some pundits already claiming the Patino-Younghusband strike force as one of the most lethal in Southeast Asia.
Buriram United has lured Patino from Cordoba last March after his four-game stint with another Segunda Division side Xerez on-loan. – Rappler.com
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