Azkals battle HK to 3-3 draw

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran Chieffy Caligdong carried the cudgels as the Philippine Azkals battled defending champion Hong Kong to a 3-3 draw at the start of their campaign in the 2011 Long Teng Cup yesterday in Kaohsiung, Chinese-Taipei.

Caligdong knocked down two goals before limping off the pitch of the Kaohsiung National Stadium in the second half as the Azkals nearly won the match if not for a late goal by HK’s Cheng Lai Hin.

“Caligdong was fantastic in this match,” Azkals coach Michael Weiss was quoted as saying in the post-match press conference by internet reports.

“We should have been rewarded with the win just for Caligdong’s effort.”

Hong Kong jumped the gun on the Azkals, with Lee Wai Lim scoring in the second minute and Cheng making it a 2-0 lead 20 minutes later.

The Azkals launched a fightback with Phil Younghusband cashing in on a penalty kick (31’) – his 16th international goal for Phl – and Caligdong hitting a left-foot shot a minute before the half to draw level at 2-2.

Caligdong put Phl XI on the driver’s seat with a right-footed finish off a pass by James Younghusband (62’). However, the Ilonggo star, who scored his ninth goal for Phl, suffered a leg injury and had to be subbed in the 78th.

The Philippines appeared headed to a 3-2 win before Cheng struck in the 86th minute. Phl goalie Roland Muller parried the ball away on a HK free kick but Cheng was quick to slot home the rebound.

Weiss, according to internet reports from Kaohsiung, rued three offside calls against the Azkals, especially in the second half against Younghusband and Ian Araneta.