Philippine Azkals Football Team settles for second draw against Hamas-supported Palestine Football Team, 0-0.
For the second match of the Philippine Azkals Football Team, they've settled for second draw against Hamas-supported Palestine Football Team, 0-0 in 2011 AFC Challenge Cup Group Qualifying match in Rangoon, Burma.
The Philippines, defending stubbornly against a tall, physical Palestine team, settled for a scoreless draw Wednesday, leaving the Azkals with no recourse but to nail a victory in their last group qualifying match in the AFC Challenge Cup.
Lacking the quality to finish several chances, the Azkals, amid cheers from the Burmese fans, walked away from the Thuwana Stadium with another point after frustrating the favored and unbeaten Palestines in a cagey duel played mostly at midfield.
It was undeniable, however, that the Azkals also had their chances.
They were lucky enough not to have fallen behind in the first half, before producing another improved display in the final 45 minutes.
“I’m satisfied with the result,” said Azkals German coach Hans Michael Weiss. “I have seen a very strong Palestine team that we really had to endure. It was not an easy match.”
The result leaves Palestine in control of the group with four points with the Azkals, who were denied a victory by a last-minute goal against Myanmar Monday, in second with two points after two draws.
The Azkals play Bangladesh on Friday, needing a victory to at least gain five points, giving them a clear shot of qualifying for the main tournament next year.
If the the teams end up with the same number of points after Friday, the teams with the best goal difference will advance.
Chieffy Caligdong, Angel Aldeguer and Rob Gier all came close of breaking the deadlock for the Azkals, who had expressed concern over the status of Neil Etheridge just hours before the match.
Etheridge, who was dehydrated, recovered in time to protect the Philippines’ goal and was kept busy by the marauding Palestinians in the first half.
The best chance for the Azkals fell on Caligdong, who had a weak effort from three yards blocked after a cutback from James Younghusbandon the right.
Yanti Barsales could only manage a tame shot on the rebound and Palestine cleared their lines in the 64th minute
Aldeguer, slowed down by a muscle strain, saw his header from six yards saved two minutes earlier, while Gier’s effort went straight to Abdallah Alsidawi in the first minute of injury time.
The Azkals, despite getting a fair share of possession, offered little attacking threat in the opening half, while Palestine went on quick counter-attacks from the right flank thanks to Ismael Alamour.
Alamour forced the corner that led to Murad Eleyan’s thunderous effort that bounced off the crossbar in the 18th minute.
Caught off his line, Etheridge was rescued by the bar again from what could have been an embarrasing situation.
Khader Abuhammad floated a shot from near the halfline forcing Etheridge to scamper back.
The Palestines had complained about the hot weather here and they allowed the Azkals to see more of the ball in the opening minutes.
But the Azkals lacked the enterprising play they showed in the second half againstMyanmar with Guirado a shadow of his own self because of his injury.
Guirado was dispossessed one time too many and in one instance, Palestine nearly capitalized before Gier came though to make the clearance.
Jerry Lucena made his debut for the Azkals in a holding midfield role, allowing Simon Greatwich to go forward, albeit with little reward.
Starting striker Ian Araneta was again substituted for the second straight match by Barsales as the Azkals kept the pressure on the Palestine defenders.
Weiss sent in Yannick Tuason in the second half, but the striker, making only his second appearance for the national team, was also substituted by Roel Gener in the late stages.
“It was clear for this match that Araneta was inferior against the big guys,” said Weiss. “I had to go for experience.”
The Philippines, defending stubbornly against a tall, physical Palestine team, settled for a scoreless draw Wednesday, leaving the Azkals with no recourse but to nail a victory in their last group qualifying match in the AFC Challenge Cup.
Lacking the quality to finish several chances, the Azkals, amid cheers from the Burmese fans, walked away from the Thuwana Stadium with another point after frustrating the favored and unbeaten Palestines in a cagey duel played mostly at midfield.
It was undeniable, however, that the Azkals also had their chances.
They were lucky enough not to have fallen behind in the first half, before producing another improved display in the final 45 minutes.
“I’m satisfied with the result,” said Azkals German coach Hans Michael Weiss. “I have seen a very strong Palestine team that we really had to endure. It was not an easy match.”
The result leaves Palestine in control of the group with four points with the Azkals, who were denied a victory by a last-minute goal against Myanmar Monday, in second with two points after two draws.
The Azkals play Bangladesh on Friday, needing a victory to at least gain five points, giving them a clear shot of qualifying for the main tournament next year.
If the the teams end up with the same number of points after Friday, the teams with the best goal difference will advance.
Chieffy Caligdong, Angel Aldeguer and Rob Gier all came close of breaking the deadlock for the Azkals, who had expressed concern over the status of Neil Etheridge just hours before the match.
Etheridge, who was dehydrated, recovered in time to protect the Philippines’ goal and was kept busy by the marauding Palestinians in the first half.
The best chance for the Azkals fell on Caligdong, who had a weak effort from three yards blocked after a cutback from James Younghusbandon the right.
Yanti Barsales could only manage a tame shot on the rebound and Palestine cleared their lines in the 64th minute
Aldeguer, slowed down by a muscle strain, saw his header from six yards saved two minutes earlier, while Gier’s effort went straight to Abdallah Alsidawi in the first minute of injury time.
The Azkals, despite getting a fair share of possession, offered little attacking threat in the opening half, while Palestine went on quick counter-attacks from the right flank thanks to Ismael Alamour.
Alamour forced the corner that led to Murad Eleyan’s thunderous effort that bounced off the crossbar in the 18th minute.
Caught off his line, Etheridge was rescued by the bar again from what could have been an embarrasing situation.
Khader Abuhammad floated a shot from near the halfline forcing Etheridge to scamper back.
The Palestines had complained about the hot weather here and they allowed the Azkals to see more of the ball in the opening minutes.
But the Azkals lacked the enterprising play they showed in the second half againstMyanmar with Guirado a shadow of his own self because of his injury.
Guirado was dispossessed one time too many and in one instance, Palestine nearly capitalized before Gier came though to make the clearance.
Jerry Lucena made his debut for the Azkals in a holding midfield role, allowing Simon Greatwich to go forward, albeit with little reward.
Starting striker Ian Araneta was again substituted for the second straight match by Barsales as the Azkals kept the pressure on the Palestine defenders.
Weiss sent in Yannick Tuason in the second half, but the striker, making only his second appearance for the national team, was also substituted by Roel Gener in the late stages.
“It was clear for this match that Araneta was inferior against the big guys,” said Weiss. “I had to go for experience.”
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