SPORTS HUBS

The Impressive Philippine Azkals

(News Update and Result Philippines Versus Mongolia, March 15, 2011)

Philippine Azkals lost to Mongolia 1-2 But Still Advances in the Next Round

The Philippines battling extreme weather and chilly wind at -20 degrees Celsius Centigrade lost to Mongolia 1-2 on their second home-and-away game in Ulan Bator in the AFC Champions Cup but still wins the tie via 3-2 aggregate.

But the winning effort of the Mongolians is not enough to help them push through the second round since they lost a 0-2 decision last month and must at least win by a margin of 3 goals.

The Philippines thus earned a spot in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions Cup against host and fellow South East Asian rival Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh in the

Phil Younghusband scored the first goal of the match but failed to finish the game after suffering a hamstring injury. Mongolia gave the Filipinos as they scored the last two goals of the game to win 2-1 at the end. But the gallant effort of the Mongolians was in a naught since they are trailing the Filipinos 2-3 on points aggregate.

(News Updates: Philippine Azkals Beat Mongolia Lead Home and Away Series)

The Philippine footballers which carries the moniker Azkals made big news in the country as they gate crashed through the semifinal round of the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup by beating host and defending champion Vietnam and scored two draws against Myanmar and Singapore.

The entry of the Philippine soccer team to the semis was even voted as one of the finest in football worldwide this year by the Sports Illustrated as it was stalled as 10th nosing out other major football news. Although the Philippine team yielded to Indonesia last December no thanks to troubles back home. The Philippine team didn’t play one of the games on its home turf which could have brought wonders to the team. The Indonesians dash the Philippine campaign in the tournament by winning twice by an identical 1-0 score.

The perennial whipping boys in the continent and in the South East Asian region, the Azkals provided a Cinderella finish, by holding both Singapore and Myanmar to draws before hacking out a shocking 2-0 triumph over Vietnam over a stunned crowd. The win by the Philippines was monumental since in can be likened to Brunei winning over the Philippine team in men’s basketball.

The Philippine footballers which is consists of several Filipino-Foreigners wielded the axe on their Vietnamese counterpart with a fluid and cohesive counter attacks and tough defensive stratagem. The Philippine finished with five points in Group B just one point behind their victim Vietnam which wound up their campaign with 6 points. Both Vietnam and the Philippines advances into the semifinal round. The tournament awards three points for a win, 1 point for a draw and nil for a loss.

Both Vietnam and Philippines secured semifinal berth and they are pitted against Malaysia and Indonesia respectively.

Now hope is high for the team that is thirsty for attention and accolades as they set their sights in several tournaments in the year 2011, including the South East Asian Games

Suggested Readings:

The Latest Heartthrobs in Philippine Sports – Phil and James Younghusband

The Road For Glory of the Philippine National Football Team – The Azkals

Philippine Azkals Images or Pictures