AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Qualifying Group Stage: Philippines Azkals vs Bangladesh Bengal Tigers
The Philippine National Football team – Azkals will take on Bangladesh Bengal Tigers Friday afternoon March 25, 2011 3:30PM MYA / 5PM PHI time for their 3rd and last game of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Qualifying Group Stage to held at the Aung San Stadium in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar.
The Azkals fought Myanmar to a 1-1 draw last Monday for their first game of the Group A Qualifying stage. Both secured a point each for the standing. Also, Philippine Azkals and Palestine Al-Fusan Fighters ended in a scoreless draw last Wednesday.
The Azkals now has 2 straight draws in the group stage with 2 points and are now ranked 3rd in their group bracket composed of 4 countries, namely: Philippines, Palestine, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Palestine Fighters currently leads the pack with 1 win and 1 draw for a total of 4 points.
The Azkals will need the win against Bangladesh Bengal Tigers, good for 3 points, to give the team’s total points to 5 for a sure 2nd place and to qualify for the next round.
The group stage point system gives 3 points on every win, 1 point on each draw, and 0 for every loss.
Only the top 2 teams in each bracket will advance to the Challenge Cup tournament proper in 2012.
UPDATE: FINAL SCORE : PHILIPPINES 3-0 BANGLADESH.
IAN ARANETA 41′
ANGEL GUIRADO 54′ 79′
PHILIPPINES AZKALS qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup 2012. Palestine tops Group A with Philippines runner-up.
Big thanks to Craig Burrows for the updates.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palestine | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 |
| Philippines | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 5 |
| Bangladesh | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 3 |
| Myanmar | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
GAME RECAP courtesy from abs-cbnnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals barged into the 2012 Challenge Cup finals by hammering out a sensational 3-0 victory over the Bangladesh Bengal Tigers on Friday.
Filipino-Spanish striker Angel Aldeguer Guirado was a revelation for the Azkals after scoring 2 goals in the second half of the game taking place at the Aung San Stadium.
Guirado’s first goal came early in the second half after heading in a shot from Ian Araneta. He followed this up by striking another goal in the in the 80th minute.
Earlier, Araneta scored the first goal in the 41st minute of the game after picking up a loose ball off Guirado.
The Filipino booters started out aggressively, launching a full attack against the Bengal Tigers. The aggressive play resulted to an early injury stoppage that had Bangladesh’s Zahid being carried off the field.
Guirado and Chieffy Caligdong also made sure to keep the Bangladesh defense busy by closing in several goal attempts.
The Filipino squad also put up an excellent defense with team captain Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario and Ray Jonsson clipping Bangladesh’s wings.
The Azkals had a scare in the first half when Bangladesh nearly scored on a loose ball. Fortunately, Filipino-British keeper Neil Etheridge came out to clear the ball.
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