Live Blog: Azkals vs Palestine

This is a live blog of the battle for third place between the Philippine Football Team and Palestine at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup being held in Nepal. Refresh your browser every other minute to get the latest updates. Read up on our primer here. 

4:41pm: Philippine national anthem plays. 

Starting 11: Sacapano, de Murga, Sabio, Jonnson, Gier, 2 Guirados, Mulders, Caligdong, 2 Younghusbands.

4:45pm: Whistle blows. Match off to a start.

4:46pm: 44 seconds into game, Philippines makes an attempt at the goal but attempt is weak. 

Philippine Team is in WHITE, Palestine is in RED. 

4:48pm: Phil Younghusband scores first goal for the Philippines, 3 minutes into the match!

Because he was issued a red card during the last match vs. Turkmenistan, Neil Etheridge is sitting out this match. The Philippine goalie is Eduard Sacapano of the Philippine army. 

4:54pm: Sacapano saves an attempt on the 9th minute. Good, solid defense by the Azkals so far. 

4:57pm: Neil Etheridge tweeting from the sidelines tweets: “The officials giving some questionable decisions against us … Our midfield is looking strong and comfortable on the ball.”

5:05pm: Palestine scores first goal.

5:09pm: Phil Younghusband converts penalty kick, scores second goal for the Philippines. Philippines up 2-1, 23rd minute.

5:14pm: Good buildup by Palestine on goal attempt, but it is stoppped by goalie Eduard Sacapano.

5:16pm: Neil Etheridge tweets: “Nice take from ed! The start of the game has been fast and furious and doesn’t look like its going to stop as its attack at both ends.”

5:19pm: James Younghusband gets a free kick. Will he convert? 

5:19pm: Great save by Palestinian player, goalie in the wrong place to bloack the Philippines’ Juani Guirado’s attempt.

5:24pm: Tough defense from Palestine prevents the Philippines from making any goal attempts despite three close opportunities. 

5:25pm: Jason Sabio looks to have hurt his knee after collision with Palestinian player. Philippines down to 10 players momentarily.

5:27pm: Angel Guirado scores third goal for the Philippines, 41st minute. Azkals now up 3-1 vs Palestine. 

5:28pm: Carlos De Murga down momentarily. 

5:31pm: Another Palestinan attempt, saved by Sacapano.

5:32pm: HALF TIME: Philippines leads Palestine 3-1. Follow our live blog for updates. 

5:47pm: Second half off to a start.

The winner of this match between Azkals vs Palestine will determine 3rd place at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

5:54pm: Rappler’s @natahsya_g tweets: “Slow start to the 2nd half, but good exchange of ball possession from both teams so far. 52nd minute. “

6:00pm: Sacapano given Yellow Card but not clear what the violation was for. 

6:05pm: Attempt by Angel Guirado goes straight to the arms of the Palestinian goal keeper. 

6:10pm: Palestine scores second goal.

6:12pm: Juani Guirado scores for the Philippines. Azkals now up 4-2 68th minute. 

6:14pm: Palestinian Player given a yellow card after tackiling Azkal from behind.

6:17pm: Another close attempt by Phil Younghusband.

De Jong in for Rob Gier

6:20pm: 3rd goal for Palestine. Score now at 4-3. 

6:23pm: Sacapano deflects near goal by Palestine. 10 minutes to play. 

Tweet from Neil Etheridge: “Palestine have great delivery right under ed but ed manages to punch away… Phil just doing a solo job uptop … Tired legs now”

3 minutes added to clock.

6:35pm: The Guirado boys fighting hard. Yellow card given to Palestinian goalkeeper.

6:38pm: FULL TIME: Philippines makes history as the Azkals defeat Palestine 4-3 to win 3rd Place at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.