Team Azkals clobbered Sri Lanka Brave Reds 4-0

Yesterday was a great day for Philippine Football as the Philippine Team Azkals made history after they pounded the Sri Lankan Brave Reds, 4-0 in the second leg of the First Round World Cup Asian qualifier at the packed Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. The victory over Sri Lanka which clinched the tie on an aggregate of 5-1 is the first-ever triumph of the Philippines in World Cup qualifying matches and it’s also the first time that the country will advance to the second round of the WC qualifiers.

Local star Chieffy Caligdong of the Philippine Air Force scored the first goal in the 19th minute of the match by skillfully eluding the Sri Lankan defenders. The early goal allowed the Azkals to set the tempo of the game and it gave them the much needed confidence. Striker Phil Younghusband scored another goal 2 minutes before halftime to give the team a comfortable lead.

The second half of the match saw Angel Guirado fielding another goal from a pass from James Younghusband in the 51st minute of the game to make it 3-nil. Five minutes later, Stephan Shrock was taken down in the penalty box which gives the Azkal’s a penalty kick. Phil Younghusband stepped up and took the shot that sealed the Azkal’s victory making the final score 4-nil to the frenzied celebration of the crowd who endured the heavy downpour.

Next stop for the Azkals is a training camp in Bahrain to prepare for their second-round two-leg tie against Kuwait , a country ranked 102 in the world and considered a very tough opponent. The first match will be played in Kuwait on July 23 and the second in Manila on July 28.