Although they have already booked a ticket to the next round, the Philippine Men’s National Football Team continued their momentum in the 2018 Bangabandhu Cup with a 1-0 victory over tournament hosts Bangladesh at the Sylhet District Stadium in Sylhet.
Kenshiro Daniels scored the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute to stun the home side, who failed to procure an opener beforehand thanks to the heroics of veteran goalkeeper Mike Casas.
Daniels, who represented Kaya FC-Iloilo early in his career, combined with skipper Misagh Bahadoran and calmly shot past Bangladesh goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana to set the Filipinos on their way to topping Group B at the hosts’ expense.
Already a goal down on their home field, Bangladesh continuously tried to pound Casas’ goal, but the veteran stopper produced save after save to keep the clean sheet. Things got heated for both squads during the period and the referee opted to hand yellow cards to Bahadoran and Marwin Angeles. Daniels himself was substituted for Angelo Marasigan due to injury.
Nevertheless, it was the Azkals’ evening to savor as Daniels’ strike was enough to seal all three points. With the win, the Philippines’ next game will be the semi-finals clash against the Group A’s second placers on October 9, 4:30 PM (Philippine time) at the Cox’s Bazar Stadium in Bangladesh.
There is still one game left in Group A between Palestine and Nepal, who shall face each other on October 6, 8:30 PM (Philippine time). Unless Nepal upsets Palestine by a three-goal margin, it is familiar foe Tajikistan whom the Azkals will meet in the knockouts.
Philippines XI: Casas (GK), Bedic, Mw. Angeles, Bahadoran (C), Clarino, Aguinaldo, Minegishi, Daniels, Sarmiento, Mv. Angeles, Alquiros.
Bangladesh XI: Rana (GK), Barman, Badsha, Mahmud, Mamun (C), Zidan, Sabuz, Ahamed, Tripura, Hasan, Mia.
