Azkals blank Indians, boost semis bid

KATHMANDU – The Philippine Azkals pounced on their best chance for a victory in the AFC Challenge Cup group stages, gaining from Phil Younghusband’s brace in a 2-0 conquest of India to boost their semis bid last night at the Dashrath Stadium.

Younghusband struck off a throw-in by Jason Sabio in the 10th minute and fired a looper off a feed from brother James in the 73rd as the Azkals (3 points on 1-0-1) forced a virtual KO match with Tajikistan (3 points, 1-0-1) for the second semis berth in Group B.

Defending champion North Korea took the first seat to the semifinals after thumping Tajikistan, 2-0, for six points on 2-0-0, over at the Halchowk Stadium in the Bagmati Zone.

“I’m very, very happy with the result although I feel we can play much, much better,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss, who took the W on his 52nd birthday.

The Azkals will gun for a dreamed-about Last-4 berth tomorrow as they cap their eliminations campaign against 2006 titlist Tajikistan.

“We are in the same position (with Tajikistan) and it might come to a shootout. So we have to be very careful and play smart against them,” said Weiss.

“I think we’ll have slight psychological advantage because Tajikistan came off a very challenging match (in a loss to North Korea) while we’re coming off a win (over India),” he added.

Working in tandem with teammates in two crucial sequences, Younghusband scored his 19th and 20th international goal for Phl in a morale-boosting triumph over the 2008 winners but currently rebuilding Blue Tigers.

“Fantastic, cool in front of the goal. That’s how we want him to be,” said Weiss of Younghusband.

It all started when Jason Sabio set up the first goal with a monster delivery that Younghusband wasted no time finishing.

Finding the ball in his area, Younghusband gamely rolled it in past Karanjit Singh, then danced into the sidelines as cheers from over 100 Filipinos engulfed the 56-year-old stadium surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

The star striker struck and danced anew in the 73rd after finishing a sequence started by Misagh Bahadoran from the left to his brother James, who gave a backpass that Phil made good on.

Weiss said a key adjustment in putting veteran defender Rob Gier in the back and Juani Guirado and Paul Mulders at holding midfield helped the Azkals’ cause.

Notes: Azkals coach Michael Weiss was presented with a mini-cake by the team in celebration of his 52nd birthday yesterday. Asked about his birthday wish, Weiss said: “You know what I want - to win the AFC Challenge Cup.”. If only that’s something the Azkals can get from a gift shop... Left in Manila as he’s still yet to fully recover from ACL, Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo is ding rah-rah for his teammates via social media. “Game day! Leave everything on that pitch today and take it to em boys!” he twitted on the day the Azkals faced a must-win situation against India. Borromeo is working as special analyst for Studio 23’s coverage of Phl XI’s campaign. “Sucks being injured and not playing but commentating with @bhobg333 (Bob Guerrero) is the closest I can get to being with the boys!”...To this day, Lydia de Vega still enjoys legend status in India. An Indian journalist asked about de Vega’s present whereabouts, recalling her exploits in the tracks and rivalry with Indian sprint queen PT Usha in the 1980s.