THE men’s national football team edged Tajikistan, 4-3, in what could be the squad’s most nail-biting victory so far in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Jordan 2019 Qualifiers.
And the Azkals pulled it off on their opponents’ pitch at the Republican Central Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Wednesday night.
With the victory, their second after a 4-1 rout of Nepal at home at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last March 27, the Azkals are now 2-0 won-lost in the qualifiers.
“We congratulate our national team for their second win in the Asian Cup Qualifiers. This was a perfect response after last week’s loss in a friendly with China,” Philippine Football Federation general secretary Atty Ed Gastanes said.
The Azkals suffered a 1-8 clobbering at the hands of China in friendly in Guangzhou a week before they took on Tajikistan.
“The win increased our chances for a place in the 2019 Asian Cup,” Gastanes added.
The Azkals were in a scoring mood at the onset with skipper Phil Younghusband making his 46th international goal in the 28th minute on a free kick that beat Tajik goalkeeper Abduaziz Mahkamov. Javier Patiño also rose to the occasion with two goals in the 41st and 48th minute, giving the Azkals a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Tajiks, however, started to threaten when Parvizjon Umarboev scored on a penalty in the 57th minute from a foul by Amani Aguinaldo, while Dilshod Vosiev trimmed the lead to one, 2-3, four minutes later after the Philippine defense broke down.
But Daisuke Sato hit a clutch with an amazing solo strike in the 79th minute to restore a two-goal lead for his countrymen, 4-2.
The Tajiks remained gritty and drilled a late consolation in the 89th minute from Manuchekr Dzhaililov, but the Azkals still prevailed in the final whistle earning their second win of the qualifiers.
The Philippines now leads Group F with six points on two matches. The Filipinos will next play Yemen, which has two points in second place after a goalless draw with Nepal in Kathmandu.
The Philippines-Yemen match will be played in September either at the Rizal Memorial Stadium or at the Panaad Football Stadium in Bacolod City.
Image credits: Tajikistan Football Federation