Azkals batter Papua New Guinea behind Mark Hartmann’s 4 goals

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals banked on an explosive first half performance from Mark Hartmann to pummel the visiting Papua New Guinea squad, 5-nil, in a friendly match on Sunday, October 12, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Fil-British midfielder scattered 4 goals throughout the first half, while Phil Younghusband contributed a 5th, as the 134th ranked Azkals buried the 199th ranked Papua New Guinea, and never looked back. 

Hartmann was on fire right away as he netted his first goal at the two-minute mark. He later scored two more at the 10-minute and 19-minute marks before Phil Younghusband squeezed in a goal for the rampaging Azkals at the 42nd-minute.

And just before the first half ended, an unforgiving Hartmann sent another one in to notch the final tally as Papua New Guinea failed to convert on prime chances in the second half.

The friendly is part of the national football team’s preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup this November in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Azkals were originally supposed to face Malaysia for the tune-up but conflict of schedule with Malaysia’s local league forced them to postpone. – Rappler.com