Azkals draw vs Indonesians, stay alive

BOCAUE, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals averted a total disaster in their Asean Football Suzuki Cup campaign on home soil, salvaging a 2-2 draw with Indonesia to keep their slim semis hopes alive last night at the Philippine Sports Stadium.

Trailing twice in the frenetic, hard-fought match, the Pinoy booters turned to their top-scorer, Phil Younghusband, for the late equalizer that handed them their second straight draw for two points and kept their campaign going.

The result put the home side on second spot in the Group A table behind holder Thailand, which booked a semis seat earlier with a 1-0 escape act over a defensive-minded Singapore for a leading six points.

The Azkals now face a must-win last game against the Thais on Friday while hoping for a draw between Indonesia and Singapore to save a Last-Four trip.

“I think 2-2 is okay. They (Indons) had a couple more chances, better chances than we do so we can live with 2-2. We have one more game and we have to something in that last game,” said Phl coach Thomas Dooley.

Younghusband netted his 43rd international goal – a direct free kick at the 83rd minute that enabled the Philippines to draw level for the second time in the match.

The Merah Putih drew first blood via Fachruddin Aryanto’s header off Stefano Lilipaly free kick in the seventh minute. The Azkals caught up at 1-1 at the half-hour mark as Misagh Bahadoran poked it in off a Stephan Schrock free kick delivery.

The Indons put the hosts on the back-foot once more as captain Boas Salosa netted the go-ahead off a scramble at the 68th minute.

“We fell short in our goal to get three points but I think we showed tremendous spirit in coming back,” said Stephan Schrock.