Source: Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — The freezing weather took its toll on the Philippine Azkals as they bowed to Mongolia, 2-1, in their second leg outing Tuesday, but the Filipinos advanced into the group stage of the AFC Challenge Cup just the same thanks to their superior aggregate scores in the home-and-away series.
Armed with a 2-0 win at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, the Azkals compiled a 3-2 edge total to boot out Mongolia and storm into the next stage that starts March 20 in Myanmar.
James Younghusband saved the day the Azkals, scoring with a right-footed hit on the fourth minute that proved to be the marginal goal that prevented the Blue Wolves from forcing a dangerous series tie.
The 24-year-old Filipino-British rose above everybody else to kick home a deflected hit by Chieffy Caligdong from the left flank that stunned the partisan crowd at the Ulan Bator National Stadium.
It was Younghusband’s fifth international goal for the Philippines.
But instead of getting inspired by the goal, the Azkals found themselves retreating on their heels as the Mongolians mounted a furious counterattack.
The cold spell also took its toll on the Filipinos who wore thick clothing and appeared to be uncomfortable with the outfit.
The loss snapped the Azkals' amazing run that started with their historic semifinal finish in ASEAN Football Federation last December.
Despite the loss the Azkals still looked formidable despite missing four key players Etheridge, midfielders Chris Greatwich, Jason De Jong and Rob Gier.
The Mongolians were also affected, but proved more adept with the conditions as the game began at minus15 and somehow warmed to minus 6 midway through the match.
Sensing they needed to score immediately the Mongolians attacked relentlessly before they finally struck after Tserenjav Enkhjargal’s free kick from halfline found an unmarked Doronov Lumbengarav who scored near the goal in the 21st minute to level the count at 1-1.
The Filipinos were again caught napping in the 34th, when goal keeper Eduardo Sacapano, who replaced the absent Fil-British Neil Etheridge, failed to firmly hold the save that allowed Garidmagnai Bayasgalan to volley home again his shot off a free kick for a 2-1 lead before the break.
The Azkals entered the second leg match needing just a draw to advance into the Challenge Cup group stage and despite the loss they moved to 11-day elimination matches.
The Philippines will be part of Group A where it will meet Bangladesh, Palestine and the host nation in a single round battle for the top two slots to the regular draw of the competition in 2012.
They will play Myanmar on March 21, Palestine on the 23rd before facing Bangladesh on March 25.
Of the four nations, the Philippines is the highest-ranked team at 151st, according to the international football federation (FIFA) listing. Myanmar ranks 10 rungs lower at 161st, followed by Bangladesh (174), and Palestine (178).
Meanwhile, Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who skipped the game yesterday, has been recalled by his mother team, English Premiere League side Fulham after being loaned to the injury-plagued Charlton Athletic for almost a week in the third-tier League One.
Armed with a 2-0 win at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, the Azkals compiled a 3-2 edge total to boot out Mongolia and storm into the next stage that starts March 20 in Myanmar.
James Younghusband saved the day the Azkals, scoring with a right-footed hit on the fourth minute that proved to be the marginal goal that prevented the Blue Wolves from forcing a dangerous series tie.
The 24-year-old Filipino-British rose above everybody else to kick home a deflected hit by Chieffy Caligdong from the left flank that stunned the partisan crowd at the Ulan Bator National Stadium.
It was Younghusband’s fifth international goal for the Philippines.
But instead of getting inspired by the goal, the Azkals found themselves retreating on their heels as the Mongolians mounted a furious counterattack.
The cold spell also took its toll on the Filipinos who wore thick clothing and appeared to be uncomfortable with the outfit.
The loss snapped the Azkals' amazing run that started with their historic semifinal finish in ASEAN Football Federation last December.
Despite the loss the Azkals still looked formidable despite missing four key players Etheridge, midfielders Chris Greatwich, Jason De Jong and Rob Gier.
The Mongolians were also affected, but proved more adept with the conditions as the game began at minus15 and somehow warmed to minus 6 midway through the match.
Sensing they needed to score immediately the Mongolians attacked relentlessly before they finally struck after Tserenjav Enkhjargal’s free kick from halfline found an unmarked Doronov Lumbengarav who scored near the goal in the 21st minute to level the count at 1-1.
The Filipinos were again caught napping in the 34th, when goal keeper Eduardo Sacapano, who replaced the absent Fil-British Neil Etheridge, failed to firmly hold the save that allowed Garidmagnai Bayasgalan to volley home again his shot off a free kick for a 2-1 lead before the break.
The Azkals entered the second leg match needing just a draw to advance into the Challenge Cup group stage and despite the loss they moved to 11-day elimination matches.
The Philippines will be part of Group A where it will meet Bangladesh, Palestine and the host nation in a single round battle for the top two slots to the regular draw of the competition in 2012.
They will play Myanmar on March 21, Palestine on the 23rd before facing Bangladesh on March 25.
Of the four nations, the Philippines is the highest-ranked team at 151st, according to the international football federation (FIFA) listing. Myanmar ranks 10 rungs lower at 161st, followed by Bangladesh (174), and Palestine (178).
Meanwhile, Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who skipped the game yesterday, has been recalled by his mother team, English Premiere League side Fulham after being loaned to the injury-plagued Charlton Athletic for almost a week in the third-tier League One.
An askal is a Filipino term for any dog with no pedigree, no breed, no class. The askal is usually astray, unsupported and survives by feeding on whatever provision it can find. The Filipino national football team can relate to this mongrel, they have almost no support from a government thats suppose to support them, they are underdogs not just only to the world but even in their own region, South East Asia.
Name: Angel Guirado Aldeguer
Stephan Schröck - nicknamed "Schröcky", is a German–Filipino professional footballer who plays as a right back for 2nd Bundesliga club SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
