Azkals post historic win over Tajiks

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals rewrote history with an amazing come-from-behind win over fancied Tajikistan, 2-1, to advance to the semifinals of the AFC Challenge Cup for the first time at the Halchowk Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Feeling a sense of urgency after the Tajiks scored the match’s first goal – a controversial one by defender Negmatov Alexey in the 45th minute – the Azkals came out in the second half on full attack mode and managed to hit two goals to clinch the historic victory.

Phil Younghusband nailed the equalizer in the 53rd minute off a picture-perfect pass from Angel Guirado on the side.

Then it was Guirado’s time to shine in the 79th minute as he scored the game-clinching goal – a header from a Younghusband cross.

Both teams battled it out in the first half, which seemed to end with both sides scoreless – until Tajikistan broke the ice near the end of the half courtesy of a header by Alexey. The goal, however, was not immediately credited to the 2006 champions until after a few seconds, creating confusion.

The Azkals are in the AFC Challenge Cup Final-8 for the first time ever after hurdling the qualifying playoffs and qualifying group eliminations last year.

With the win, the Filipino booters book a spot in the Last 4, wherein they will be pitted against Turkmenistan. The match is set at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Azkals, however, will be entering the Turkmenistan clash without key players Guirado and James Younghusband, who are facing a one-game suspension for incurring two yellow cards each - one each at today's match to add to the previous one they got while playing against India last Sunday.

Defending champions North Korea and Palestine will dispute the other finals berth.