Azkals need only a draw vs Turkmens for sure finals ticket

Fil-Spanish Javier Patino on his very first game for the Philippine Azkals in
 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying round held Sunday under heavy downpour at
the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Photo lifted from ABS-CBNNews.com

A draw versus Turkmenistan would secure a finals spot for the Philippine Azkals in their campaign for the 2014 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup. 

This after the Azkals completely demolished Cambodia in an eight-nil win at last night's battle under heavy downpour at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. 

The Philippine now tops Group E with an advantage against next opponent Turkmenistan. 

A win would send the Azkals straight to Maldives but even if the Philippines would not be lucky enough and lose over its last year's semi-finals tormentor, it still has a huge chance of advancing. 

Aside from the winners of Groups A, B, C, D and E, the top two best second-placer among the entire collective teams will also gain a ticket to the finals. 

Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Palestine are already advancing to finals after winning on their respective group while the leading second-placer is Bangladesh with six points and five goals difference. 

Right now the Azkals gained six points after winning versus Cambodia and an automatic three after Brunei backed out from the tournament. 

This means that at the very least, a 0-2 loss over Turkmenistan would still take them to the much anticipated finals next year. 

Last year, the Azkals vowed to the Turkmens in AFC semi-finals and even the FIFA world ranking is placing the Philippines five places below the opponent. 

However, this is said to be the strongest line-up the Philippine national football team has ever built. 

It's newest striker Fil-Spanish Javier Patino of Cordova CF delivered two goals in last game versus Cambodia. 

Also, the Philippines is no more relying alone on its first choice goalie Neil Etheridge with the highly improved two keepers Roland Muller and Eduard Sacapano. 

There's still Phil Younghusband who took more than a hat-trick from the latest game plus the availability of other foreign-based players like Fil-German Stephan Schrock.

_______________________

Follow me on Twitter @erikreports

E-mail me at @inbetweenheadlines@gmail.com

More reports on DZMM.com.ph