Straight from an opening day defeat, the Philippine Azkals got their 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup campaign back on track with a 7-0 demolition of Timor Leste, Saturday evening at the National Stadium in Singapore.
The outcome was the Philippines’ biggest result in its history of participating in the Suzuki Cup. It eclipses the country’s 4-0 win over Indonesia back in the 2014 edition.
This is also the Azkals’ highest margin of victory since the 8-0 victory over Cambodia back in 2013.
Martin Steuble opened the Timor Leste floodgates with a strike from outside the box in the 21st minute. Amin Nazari then converted his second goal of the competition from close range in the 31st minute. Meanwhile, Angel Guirado headed the ball home in the 35th minute.
Patrick Reichelt performed a cool finish in the 40th minute to score the Azkals’ fourth goal of the contest. Then Jesper Nyholm, who was unmarked at the far post, headed the ball into the net in the 45th minute. Bievenido Maranon later joined the party in the 45+1 minute with a close-range finish.
In the second half, Kevin Ingreso added the Azkals’ seventh goal thanks to an assist from substitute Yrick Gallantes at the 78th minute.
With the win, the Philippines gets its first three points in Group A and moves temporarily into 2nd place on the basis of goal difference. Thailand and Myanmar will square off later.
On the other hand, Timor Leste is in last place with zero points.
The Philippines shall continue its campaign on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, against Thailand. The kickoff time is at 5:30 PM.
Philippines XI: Hansen (GK), Nyholm, Ingreso, Guirado, Maranon, Sato, Aguinaldo, Schrock, Nazari, Steuble, Reichelt
Timor Leste XI: Fernandes (GK), Da Silva, Soares, Gama, Boavida, Moreira, De Almeida ©, Mesquita, Da Costa, Braz, Soares
