Azkals up lead vs Brave Reds, 4-0; video recap

source: Dennis Gasgonia and Ira Pedrasa, abs-cbnNEWS.com


MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – The Philippine Azkals now have a 4-0 lead over the Sri Lankan Brave Reds in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Azkals winger Chieffy Caligdong scored the first goal at the 18th minute.

He found the back of the net with a strike in the 18th minute that caromed off the left post.

Another goal by Azkals striker Phil Younghusband in the 42nd minute made it 2-0 in favor of the Philippines.
The Filipino-British footballer evaded 2 defenders and the Sri Lankan goal keeper to increase the Azkals' lead.



An assistant match official initially ruled out Younghusband's goal because an alleged foul.

However, the senior referee overruled the sideline official, saying that the Azkals; contact with a Sri Lankan defender was only minimal.

It was Angel Guirado’s turn to score in the second half.

The Filipino-Spaniard scored the country’s third goal in the 50th minute after receiving a through ball from James Younghusband.

Guirado beat the Sri Lankans' offside trap and rounded the goalkeeper to tap the ball in.
Phil scored the fourth goal through a penalty kick in the 56th minute after Stephan Schrock was brought down by a Sri Lankan defender inside the box.

5-1 on aggregate
The Azkals are now ahead, 5-1 on aggregate, over Sri Lanka.

The Philippines launched attacks right at the kick off as the Sri Lankans struggled under the pouring rain.
Guirado and Phil fired long-range shots that troubled the opposing goalkeeper before Caligdong scored the opening goal.

Schrock was physical against the Brave Reds and was slapped a yellow card in the match.
He was also given a yellow card in the first leg, which means that he will be barred from playing in the Azkals' next game.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, is trying to claw back into the match by counterattacking and using the wings.

Azkals team manager Dan Palami earlier said he is confident that his boys will pull off a better performance on their home pitch, which is in better condition compared to Sri Lanka's Sugathadasa Stadium.

Palami said the well-conditioned pitch will help the Azkals in their offense-to-defense switch, which they could not do in Sri Lanka's uneven field.

“We were unable to do that in Sri Lanka because of their uneven field but here we have better chances of pulling that off,” he said.

The Filipinos will take on Kuwait in the second round of the qualifiers if they defeat Sri Lanka.