5:59 AM
shrkymkntrsh
Source | Inquirer.net
BACOLOD CITY—Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong and Phil Younghusband provided the flashes of inspiration as the Philippines downed 10-man Mongolia, 2-0, last night in the first leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying duel at the packed Panaad Stadium.
Caligdong, one of Barotac Nuevo’s famous sons, struck in the 42nd minute, before Younghusband doubled the cushion in the fourth minute of second-half of injury time as the Azkals were rewarded for their sustained pressure.
“It was a pity we didn’t score more,” said Philippines German coach Hans Michael Weiss. “It was a good match because we were attacking and controlling the ball and playing technically advanced football. A 3-0 or 4-0 score would have been fair.”
The scoreline was flattering for the Mongolians, who had played on the backfoot for almost the entire game.
Fireworks lit up the sky at the final whistle as the country celebrated its first home victory in three years.
The Azkals dominated possession for long periods, but couldn’t find the cutting edge to break down a compact Mongolian defense, which had gone shorthanded in the final 63 minutes.
The Filipinos were so dominant that goalkeeper Neil Etheridge played more like an outfield player to help the attack.
The Mongolians were reduced to 10 men in the 27th minute after midfielder Pagamsuren Altantulga was sent off for a second yellow card. Altantulga was booked earlier in the 12th minute after a clumsy challenge on Younghusband.
The Azkals play the Mongolians again on March 15 in Ulanbator. A draw would be enough for the Azkals and Weiss is confident the squad will advance to the second stage of qualifying in Bangladesh.
Marauding the left flank at every opportunity, Caligdong finally made the pressure count in the 42nd minute with an impressive piece of skill to beat Mongolian keeper Ganbayar Tseveensuren.
Latching unto a cross from Anton del Rosario, Caligdong chested the ball down, took another touch with his left foot before firing past Tseveensuren from close-range with his right foot.
It was Caligdong’s first goal since 2008 when the Philippines beat Brunei, 1-0, in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying in Iloilo City.
“I wanted to prove that I can start again for our team,” said Caligdong, who was relegated to the bench in the last four matches of the Suzuki Cup.
Younghusband, who had promised to score two goals, grabbed one with virtually the last kick of the game.
Substitute Jason Sabio set up Younghusband, whose initial effort was blocked. Given another chance, Younghusband curled it past the Mongolian defense in a goal similar to the one he scored in the 2-0 victory over Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup.
It was a brilliant finish for Younghusband, who had gone largely invisible in the game and even had a goal disallowed for handball midway in the second half.
Younghusband’s goal was a product of the relentless pressure put up by the Azkals in the second half.
Ian Araneta hit the post twice and Simon Greatwich, coming in for Roel Gener at halftime to add more teeth to the attack, had a spectacular overhead kick saved again by Tsevensureen.
James Younghusband also drew a fine save from the Mongolian keeper in the 75th minute with his strike from 20 yards palmed away to safety.
Much of the buildup to the tiff centered on how many goals the Azkals could put past the Mongolians and the crowd grew restless as the team probed on with little reward in the first 20 minutes.
Read more »
BACOLOD CITY—Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong and Phil Younghusband provided the flashes of inspiration as the Philippines downed 10-man Mongolia, 2-0, last night in the first leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying duel at the packed Panaad Stadium.
Caligdong, one of Barotac Nuevo’s famous sons, struck in the 42nd minute, before Younghusband doubled the cushion in the fourth minute of second-half of injury time as the Azkals were rewarded for their sustained pressure.
“It was a pity we didn’t score more,” said Philippines German coach Hans Michael Weiss. “It was a good match because we were attacking and controlling the ball and playing technically advanced football. A 3-0 or 4-0 score would have been fair.”
The scoreline was flattering for the Mongolians, who had played on the backfoot for almost the entire game.
Fireworks lit up the sky at the final whistle as the country celebrated its first home victory in three years.
The Azkals dominated possession for long periods, but couldn’t find the cutting edge to break down a compact Mongolian defense, which had gone shorthanded in the final 63 minutes.
The Filipinos were so dominant that goalkeeper Neil Etheridge played more like an outfield player to help the attack.
The Mongolians were reduced to 10 men in the 27th minute after midfielder Pagamsuren Altantulga was sent off for a second yellow card. Altantulga was booked earlier in the 12th minute after a clumsy challenge on Younghusband.
The Azkals play the Mongolians again on March 15 in Ulanbator. A draw would be enough for the Azkals and Weiss is confident the squad will advance to the second stage of qualifying in Bangladesh.
Marauding the left flank at every opportunity, Caligdong finally made the pressure count in the 42nd minute with an impressive piece of skill to beat Mongolian keeper Ganbayar Tseveensuren.
Latching unto a cross from Anton del Rosario, Caligdong chested the ball down, took another touch with his left foot before firing past Tseveensuren from close-range with his right foot.
It was Caligdong’s first goal since 2008 when the Philippines beat Brunei, 1-0, in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying in Iloilo City.
“I wanted to prove that I can start again for our team,” said Caligdong, who was relegated to the bench in the last four matches of the Suzuki Cup.
Younghusband, who had promised to score two goals, grabbed one with virtually the last kick of the game.
Substitute Jason Sabio set up Younghusband, whose initial effort was blocked. Given another chance, Younghusband curled it past the Mongolian defense in a goal similar to the one he scored in the 2-0 victory over Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup.
It was a brilliant finish for Younghusband, who had gone largely invisible in the game and even had a goal disallowed for handball midway in the second half.
Younghusband’s goal was a product of the relentless pressure put up by the Azkals in the second half.
Ian Araneta hit the post twice and Simon Greatwich, coming in for Roel Gener at halftime to add more teeth to the attack, had a spectacular overhead kick saved again by Tsevensureen.
James Younghusband also drew a fine save from the Mongolian keeper in the 75th minute with his strike from 20 yards palmed away to safety.
Much of the buildup to the tiff centered on how many goals the Azkals could put past the Mongolians and the crowd grew restless as the team probed on with little reward in the first 20 minutes.
