Azkals secure hold atop Group F of Asian Cup Qualification

c/o the Tajikistan Football Federation.

The Philippines accomplished what it needed to do at Dushanbe early Wednesday morning, as they escaped with a 4-3 victory over Tajikistan in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Republican Central Stadium.

Fresh from suffering a 8-1 shellacking against China in Guangzhou, the Philippines was seeking to bounce back strong, scoring the opening goal after 28 minutes. Phil Younghusband's free kick sailed over the head of Abduaziz Mahkamov and into the net to give the visitors the early advantage.

The Azkals would double the lead after 41 minutes, as Mike Ott found Javier Patino for the easy finish. The duo then collaborate on another goal to give the Philippines what was thought to be an unassailable 3-0 lead three minutes into the second half, with Patino securing his brace.

The hosts do manage to finally break through in the 57th minute. A foul called on Amani Aguinaldo inside the box meant a penalty, with Parvizjon Umarboev converting the spot kick against Patrick Deyto. Dilshov Vasiev cut the Tajik deficit to 3-2 four minutes later, thanks to Manuschehr Dzhalilov intercepting a Junior Munoz back pass and finding Vasiev for the finish.

The Philippines restored some breathing room in the 79th minute, as Daisuke Sato took a volley from Phil and then firing a rocket past Mahkamov and into the net for the Azkals' fourth goal of the match. But Dzhalilov tried to make things interesting with a 90th minute strike to make it 4-3. Unfortunately for the Central Asians, the four minutes added by the Syrian officials could not yield them a potential tying goal.

The victory and its corresponding three points puts the Azkals on top of Group F with six points off the strength of back-to-back qualifying wins. They are two points ahead of Yemen, who were held to a scoreless draw by Nepal at Kathmandu on Tuesday afternoon. The Arabs will be traveling to Bacolod to face the Azkals in a 1 vs 2 matchup on September 5, with the Pana-ad Stadium hosting the qualifier.

PHI: Munoz (Daniels 64'), Mi. Ott (Doctora 60'), Ramsay, Ma. Ott, P. Younghusband, Sato, Aguinaldo, Villanueva, Ingreso (Woodland 77'), Deyto, Patino

Goals: P. Younghusband 28', Patino 41' 48', Sato 79'

TJK: Mahkamov, Asrorov, I. Dhzalilov, Ergashev, Sharipov (Juraboev 46'), Huber (Vasiev 46'), Umarboev, Babadjanov (Aliev 52'), Fathuloev, Nazarov, M. Dzhalilov

Goals: Umarboev 57' pen, Vasiev 61', M. Dzhalilov 90'

Update: Current Philippine Football Federation Atty. Ed Gastanes released a statement in light of this win:

"We congratulate our national team for their second win in the Asian Cup Qualifiers. This was a perfect response after last week's loss in a friendly with China PR. The win increased our chances for a place in the 2019 Asian Cup."