With just roughly 10 minutes left to salvage not only a game, but perhaps the entire 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, Philippine Men’s National Football Team captain Phil Younghusband teed the ball up at the edge of the Indonesia box.
Younghusband was fouled moments earlier, and with the score at 1-2, the home team and its fans watching in the Philippine Sports Stadium or on their TV were hoping for a miracle to lift the impending gloom.
The referee then blew his whistle, Stephan Schrock moved aside, and then Younghusband unleashed his shot which in just a second or two went past the Indonesian goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net.
Pandemonium, elation and relief were the emotions felt by the rest of the Azkals and the fans who watched the game.
“The most important thing was to hit the target and to make sure the goalkeeper was tested.
“There were chances for both sides. It was an end-to-end game. The game felt quite open. They had some good chances. We had some good chances to score. But we always felt confident we could get a goal and if we get it in time, then we can win the game,” shared Younghusband.
Once that emotion subsided, though, reality kicked in. The final result was a creditable 2-2 draw for the Philippines versus Indonesia. The Azkals came back twice with Misagh Bahadroan scoring the first goal for the home side.
Younghusband commented, “I felt good at the time because it gave us a chance to win the game with 10 minutes to go. It’s given us a point to give us a chance against Thailand, but… I feel disappointed that we didn’t win the game.”
While the 2-2 draw was a fair result against an Indonesian side out for revenge, it still leaves the Azkals in a precarious position as Singapore stifled them to a goalless shutout in their first game.
“We try and be optimistic. We still have a chance to qualify,” Younghusband narrated.
“That’s the most important thing but we know in the last two games the ability that we have in the field and the quality we have, we know anything less than a win in those two games would have been disappointing and it’s all this.”
Up next for the Philippines is Thailand on Friday at the Philippine Sports Stadium. Anything less than a win would leave the Azkals reliant on a draw at the Singapore-Indonesia game which will be played simultaneously.
The Azkals have showed that they have fighting spirit. It’s now up to Younghusband and the rest of the squad to pull off a massive upset.
It’s won’t be the first time, though, that the Azkals pulled off a miracle with their backs on the wall.
