The Philippine Men’s National Football Team just got the remedy they needed after its Syria debacle.
In their first away game of their 2022 FIFA World Cup/2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign, the Azkals routed Guam, 4-1, at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo.
The result was the Filipinos’ first win in Group A. Scott Cooper’s men now have three points after two matches while Guam is yet to register a marker in the standings.
Angel Guirado gave the Philippines a dream start to the game when he headed past Guam goalkeeper Dallas Jeffrey Jaye at the 6th minute of play. The 34-year-old then set up his teammate, Patrick Reichelt, who then calmly put the ball at the back of the net at the 12th minute.
Come the second half, the home side pulled a goal back thanks to Marcus Lopez’s 67th-minute penalty, which was given earlier after defender Carli de Murga’s foul in the Philippine box. However, the Philippines retaliated in impressive fashion afterward.
Filipino skipper Stephan Schrock finished off a counterattack to add his name on the scoresheet at the 71st minute while Patrick Strauss latched on a Mark Hartmann assist to score his first goal in an Azkals shirt nine minutes from the final whistle.
As of this writing, the Philippines is at 3rd place in Group A with the Maldives set to host China later tonight in its national stadium.
Up next for the Philippines is a home game against China at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod on October 15, 2019, 7:30 PM.
Philippines XI: Falkesgaard (GK), Steuble, Silva, De Murga, Strauss, Schrock ©, Gallantes, Hartmann, Baas, Reichelt, Guirado.
Guam XI: Jaye (GK), Lagutang, Mariano, Chargualaf, Lopez, Cunliffe ©, Naputi, Ciochetto, Crowley, Nicklaw, Malcolm.
