Azkals target Asian Cup spot vs nepalese

Match today (ANFA Complex, Kathmandu) 2 p.m. (4:15 p.m. Manila time) – Nepal vs Philippines

Stalled the last time out, the Philippine Azkals hope to cash in on another golden opportunity to claim a historic spot in the Asian Cup today when they play Nepal in a crucial Qualifiers match in Kathmandu.

The Azkals, who lead Group F with eight points on two wins and the same number of draws, gun for maximum points to virtually put one foot in the 2019 Asian Cup with a game to spare in the qualifying tourney.

“We have to win the game, that’s the bottom-line,” said coach Thomas Dooley ahead of the 2 p.m. away match at ANFA Complex (4:15 p.m. Manila time). “We want to send more players in the box because 0-0 doesn’t help us, we need to win the game.”

The Pinoy booters had attempted to progress in their previous game on road against Yemen last month in Doha but were impeded by a 1-1 draw.

“We’ve had a chance for us to qualify in the last game in Qatar but we didn’t do it there. I don’t want to wait until the last game (against Tajikistan next year) to qualify. We want to make sure this will be the time that we’ll be talking about playing in the Asian Cup in 2019,” said skipper Phil Younghusband.

The Azkals outclassed the Gorkhalis when they first met last March at Rizal Memorial, 4-1, but don’t expect a cakewalk in the return leg.