Azkals beat Tigers, enter 2012 Challenge Cup final group
MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – The Philippine Azkals barged into the final group of the 2012 Challenge Cup tournament by hammering out a sensational 3-0 victory over the Bangladesh Bengal Tigers on Friday.
Filipino-Spanish booter Angel Aldeguer Guirado scored 2 goals while fellow striker Ian Araneta struck 1 to help the Azkals qualify for the tournament proper scheduled next year.
Araneta scored the first goal for the Philippines in the 41st minute after picking up a loose ball off Guirado.
Guirado, a revelation for the Filipino squad, followed this up by heading in a pass from Araneta in the 53rd minute.
The Filipino-Spanish booter struck again in the 79th minute by picking up a loose ball then shooting from 20 yards to the bottom left corner of Bangladesh’s goal.
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| Angel Aldeguer Guirado scores his second goal with a strike 20 yards from the goal. |
Aggressive play
The Azkals, who were held to two straight draws by Palestine and host country Myanmar, started out aggressively against the hapless Bangladeshis.
The aggressive play resulted in an early injury stoppage that had Bangladesh’s Zahid Hossein being carried off the field.
Asde from the consistent offense, the Azkals also set up an indomitable defense with team captain Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario and Ray Jonsson, clipping Bangladesh’s wingmen.
The Azkals' only scare was Bangladesh’s near score of a loose ball in the first half. Fortunately, Filipino-British keeper Neil Etheridge went out to clear the ball.
The Filipino booters now have a total of 5 points on 1 win and 2 draws to finish as the Top 2 team in their bracket.
Leading the group is Palestine, which defeated Myanmar (3-1) on Friday, for a total of 7 points on 2 wins and 1 draw.
Bangladesh finished 3rd with 3 points (1 win, 1 loss) while Myanmar finished dead last with 1 point (1 draw, 2 losses).
Only the top 2 teams will advance to the 8-team Challenge Cup finals in 2012.
$1,000 reward
As a reward for their effort, each Azkals player will receive $1,000 from team manager Dan Palami.
Palami offered the reward shortly before the Azkals game against Bangladesh.
The Filipino squad is scheduled to return to the Philippines early Sunday morning.
The Azkals will next prepare for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which will take place sometime in June.
According to ABS-CBN Sports, it will be a home-and-away series. The Azkals' opponent will be known during the draw on March 30. - With reports from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News, and Barry Viloria, abs-cbnNEWS.com
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Azkal made Philippines proud again!!
Wow magaling talaga yung bagong discovered member ng Azkals c Angel. Another first na naman kc 1st time in history ng Pinas na naka-qualify ang bansa sa AFC challenge cup, good job guys!!You make it through.
Congratulations!
I smell party at the fort again,
great job Azkals
it was a great game. congratulations to the team... however, why is it that the earthquakes are after them... 1st in Japan, now in Myanmar. i hope there is no calamity here when they come back. LOL. kidding aside, i really hope and pray that they do well in the AFC finals next year. Go Azkals!
Congrats!
We're proud of you. Galingan niyo sa AFC Cup finals next year. Malamang sumikat na ng husto ang football sa pinas niyan.
New comer Fil-Spanish Angel
New comer Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado proved himself to be worthy playing for the Team. Excellent performance for Azkals. More practice now and let´s grab that AFC Cup this time... Congratulations! AND... Thank you @DYANCASTILLEJO for the updates in twitter. No telecast here in Portugal. I followed her all throughout the 90 mins.