QUEZON City, Philippines (October 13)- With the strong drive to of the Philippine Football team to turn the tables after their upsetting loss to Uzbekistan, the fierce Azkals gritted its teeth against team North Korea, holding them back into a goalless draw in front of their 50,000 strong home supporters in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers last Thursday (October 8).
The brave Azkals fought team North Korea with they all might, surviving the surge of attacks from the towering and tougher rivals for the winning goal in the final minutes of the game, mindful of the loudest cheering crowd of the home team.
The host team tried to overpower the Azkals using their height advantage against the smaller Azkals. But the Philippine Team was able to fend off the rivals right from the opening whistle until the eight- minute extension which did not drain the Azkals’ vigor and instead stood to its ground firmly with the aid of goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, not letting a single ball passed.
The tight battle even got tougher in the second half, with North Korea does all-out attacks backed by the spirited hometown crowd singing in chorus, but these attacks were once again deflected by the solid defense of Azkals’ goalkeeper.
In the dying minutes of the game were critical for both teams hanging by the thread, as they struggle to strike the winning goal. North Korea tried another two great attempts, but was also stopped by Ethridge.
Though the tight game ended with a deadlock, the Azkals were able to put on a reputation which was diminished after getting beaten by Uzbekistan, as they were able to spoil the record of North Korea’s three time winning streak in their home soil.
The Philippines continues its World Cup Qualifying campaign going against Bahrain whom they have previously defeated at home, 2-1, on October 13.
(Eagle News Service, additional information by Benjamin Bernaldez)
