Azkals settle for draw with Maldives
Philippine Azkals was held to a 1-1 draw by Maldives at the end of the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night at the Sharjah Stadium in United Arab Emirates.
Veteran Angel Guirado was the lone goal scorer for the Azkals as they finished their Group A matches at third place with 11 points, on three victories, two draws and three defeats.
The standings of the Scott Cooper-mentored national men’s football team was good enough to qualify to the third round of the 2023 AFC Asia Cup, which is slated later this year.
Maldives got the first close shot at the goal at the 10th minute but it was quickly foiled by the defense of Azkals goal keeper Bernd Schipmann. The Philippine keeper blocked another Maldives try seven minutes later to maintain a scoreless draw.
The Azkals surged to a 1-0 lead at the 19th minute as Guirado found space at the back of the net. Maldives, however, was quick to retaliate courtesy
of Ali Fazir at the 25th minute.
It was back and forth action for both teams for the remainder of the opening half before Azkals’ Mart Hartmann misfired his header attempt from a cross by Michael Kempter at the 41st minute.
The Azkals were aggressive to start the second half with team captain Stephan Schrock having an opportunity in the 52nd minute only to be foiled. Patrick Reichelt also had a close chance but his 57th minute volley was blocked by the defense.
The national men’s football team continued to dominate Maldives on
possessions with Jarvey Gayoso having an attack but was called for a foul, while Mike Ott had his two attempts foiled by the defense.
Until the final minutes, the Azkals were still pushing the ball with Schrock and Mar Diano having chances from inside the box but the defense of the Maldives managed to hold on for a draw result.
Maldives ended their campaign at fourth spot in the group with seven points on two victories, one draw and five defeats. They could still make it to the next round if they ended up as the best fourth placed team in the qualifiers./ASC,