Koreans outscore Azkals in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Visiting South Korean club Icheon Citizen FC outclassed the Philippine Azkals United in penalty shootout, 4-2, to win the “KIA Rio Cup” charity match last night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

After yielding a late goal that forced a 1-1 standoff at the end of regulation, the Citizen’s first four designated penalty takers knocked the leather in one after the other then watched the Azkals botch on their end to secure the triumph before a stunned crowd.

Kim Hyung-Chul sent Azkals Utd keeper Eduard Sacapano the wrong way for the first goal even as Angel Guirado hit the crossbar on his turn as the Koreans seized a 1-0 cushion.

Hong Min-Soo repeated against Sacapano in the next round for their second connection but Chieffy Caligdong made a left-footed roller to the right side of custodian Hwang Sae Ha to make it 2-1 for Icheon.

Hyun Woo Lim dropped it in from the middle for Icheon’s third goal but Azkals Utd stayed alive when Ruben Doctora flicked it in, cutting it to a one-goal deficit.

Citizen’s fourth penalty-taker Kwang Hui Kim rolled the ball to the right side for goal No. 4. This turned out to be the marginal goal as Phl’s Carli de Murga unleashed his shot way over the bar, dashing the host’s hopes for the comeback.

Match rules called for a penalty shootout in case of a tie after 90 minutes to determine which side would take home the Cup, in the event held for the benefit of victims of typhoon “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City and landslide in Compostela Valley.

“It was a physical game, we kept our mental focus,” said Bin Tae Kwan, who drew first blood for Icheon in the 21st minute.

Bin’s goal kept Icheon in front nearly the entire game as Azkals Utd’s Denis Wolf, Caligdong and Ian Araneta failed to find their marks.

But then substitute Marwin Angeles made his move in the 89th. Working off a corner from Misagh Bahadoran, Angeles found precious space to blast it home down the middle, averting an outright loss for Phl.

Azkals Utd coach Michael Weiss gave props to his young wards, who took the cudgels in the absence of top guns from Loyola Meralco like Phil Younghusband and Kaya like Jason Sabio.

“I’m very happy with this performance. The young guys showed their fighting spirit, their never-say-die attitude and they showed no negative gestures,” said Weiss.