THE Philippines tries to put a lock on the top spot in Group B in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup Qualifiers when it clashes with defending champion Tajikistan at the Iloilo Sports Complex today in Iloilo City.  

The Filipino booters nipped a hard-fighting Brunei side, 1-0, in the opener on Tuesday and a victory in the 3:30 p.m. match today will move them closer to qualifying for the main tournament in Hyderabad, India, from July 30 to August 10.

Brunei and Bhutan collide in the other game at the Barotac Nuevo Sports Complex.

But national coach Norman Fegidero stressed it is not going to be easy for the locals, noting that Tajikistan is the most experienced and highest-ranked team in the tournament sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Del Monte, Magnolia, Gatorade, Smart, GNC and Mizuno, the national team’s official outfitter.  

“Tajikistan is the team to beat,” Fegidero said during Wednesday’s training session. “If we survive them, our chances of qualifying will be very high.”

“We are hoping for an upset,” he added.

Tajikistan, which defeated Sri Lanka for the title in the maiden edition of the tournament in Bangladesh two years ago, trounced Bhutan, 3-1, for its first win at the Barotac Nuevo Football Plaza Tuesday.

The Tajikistanis have three points—the same with the Filipinos—but have a better goal difference.

Fegidero is hoping the weather gets better for today’s match, citing his team’s difficulty to push forward during the first game because of the poor pitch conditions that was caused by intermittent rains the past few days. 

Emelio Caligdong, relishing his new role as team captain, has vowed a stellar showing by their team against the Tajikistanis.

“Definitely, we will go all-out against them,” Caligdong, who scored the clincher against Brunei, said.

Fegidero said there will be one or two changes in his starting lineup for today’s game. “I might make some adjustments up front and at the wing,” he said.

Chelsea reserve Phil Younghusband is expected to start together with Caligdong, midfielders Chris Greatwich and Robert Canedo and the defensive line of Aly Borromeo, Jason Cordova, Joebel Bermejo, Anton Del Rosario and keeper Neil Etheridge, who produced an outstanding display against the Bruneians, making two brilliant saves. 

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THE Philippines tries to put a lock on the top spot in Group B in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup Qualifiers when it clashes with defending champion Tajikistan at the Iloilo Sports Complex today in Iloilo City.  

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