Goal scorer on Cloud 9

Source | mb.com.ph

BACOLOD CITY — Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong said he will forever cherish his goal in the Philippine Azkals’ 2-0 victory over the 10-man Mongolia team in their AFC Challenge Cup qualifier on Wednesday night and will rank it as his finest moment in six years with the national team.

It was also a sort of redemption for the Air Force personnel who saw no action and sat forlornly on the bench during the team’s last four games in the Suzuki Cup.

“Napaka-saya ko kasi nagawa ko yun sa harap ng aking mga kababayan at pamilya, at sa oras na kinailangan ng team,” said the 29-year-old striker whose roots is Negros’ Barotac Nuevo town which is known for its football passion.

Caligdong’s shot broke the spell for the Philippine Azkals who had found it nearly impossible to penetrate the bank vault-like Mongolian defense.

With the anxious crowd leaping to its feet each time the Azkals went into the attack, the Mongolians time and again denied the Filipino strikers, drawing collective moans from the expectant fans.

The breakthrough finally arrived on the 42nd minute as Caligdong converted on a shot that passed between the legs of Mongolian goalie Ganyabar Tseveensuren.

It was a flowing shot that started when Caligdong faked to the left to evade his defender and then brought the ball to his right foot for a shot that went deep into the net as the fans roared, shaking Panaad Stadium to its foundation.

It was, so to speak, a shot heard around the country.

After scoring, Caligdong ran around the field, the customary universal celebration for a goal, as his teammates surged to mob him.

Azkals German coach Hans Michael Weiss hailed Caligdong as the player of the match, saying he was not surprised at his performance because he’s already shown it during their practice.

“I think it’s a super achievement. For me (he’s the) player of the match. Very good,” Weiss said.

For the 5-foot-6 ace striker from the Philippine Air Force, the shot is a testament that he still belongs to the first team after being relegated to the bench in the last four matches of the Suzuki Cup, including when the Philippines reached the semifinals against Indonesia for the first time.

“I wanted to prove that I can start again for our team," Caligdong said.

It was Caligdong’s first goal since 2008 when the Philippines beat Brunei, 1-0, in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying in Iloilo City.