MISSION accomplished.
Faced with an improbable task of winning at all cost, the Philippine Azkals did not disappoint, scoring a 3-0 shutout against the stunned Bangladesh Bengals to cap their historic ride into the Final 8 of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup at the Aung San Stadium in Rangoon.
Homegrown talent Ian Araneta and Filipino-Spanish striker Angel Aldeguer Guirado delivered the goals, while the rest of the Azkals, led by Fil-British goalie Neil Etheridge prevented the Bengals from making any headway in the 90-minute encounter.
It was a nerve-wrecking climb to the Final 8, and the celebrated Azkals hugged, “high-fived” and ran across
the field carrying the Philippine flag, only too aware of the victory’s significance to Philippine football.
The Philippines thus became the no. 2 team behind Palestine, to take the top spot with a spotless 2 wins and 1 draw record. The Palestine Al-Fursans formally made it to the Final 8 after turning back the Myanmar White Angels, 3-1, over at the National Youth Stadium.
The Filipinos’ feat marked the first time that a Philippine football team has advanced into the tournament proper of an international football tournament in many years.
Read more at Manila Standard Today
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