The Azkals satisfied themselves with another draw today but placed themselves in a must-win, do-or-die situation in their final match of the AFC Challenge Cup group stage here.
After a heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Myanmar last Monday, the Filipino booters settled for a scoreless draw with Palestine, a team that was supposed to give them a serious headache.
But the Palestinians did not live up to expectations, not even close to the effort they showed in a 2-0 victory over Bangladesh the other day at the sun-baked Myanmar Youth Training Center.
The Palestinians trained in Pakistan for this four-nation group stage in order to get used to the weather, but still found it difficult to stand Rangoon’s afternoon heat ranging in the mid to high 30s.
Palestine played Bangladesh in a 6 p.m. match last Monday and its players still complained of the heat. Today’s match with the Azkals, which started at 3 p.m., made it more difficult for them.
“It was difficult because it was very hot,” said Palestine coach Bezaz Moussa.
Palestine now has four points, earning three for the victory over Myanmar, and one for the draw against the Philippines. It plays Myanmar in Friday’s closing matches.
For the Azkals, a second draw gave them two points, and left them in a must-win situation against Bangladesh. A loss would mean the end of the road for the Azkals in this Challenge Cup.
Read more at The Philippine Star
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