By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
Phil Younghusband netted a penalty at the 90th minute to catapult the Azkals to a 2-1 victory against Tajikistan at the Rizal Memorial Stadium tonight.
With the win, the Philippines secured the top spot in Qualifying Group F to book its ticket to the AFC Asian Cup, the first time the country will compete in Asia’s most prestigious football tournament.
The 2019 AFC Asian Cup will be hosted by UAE next year.
Simeon Rota almost gave the home team the lead minutes before halftime but the defender missed from close range when his attempt hit the top of the woodwork.
The Azkals only needed a draw to qualify for UAE next year.
All seemed good until the 63rd minute, when the referee awarded the visiting Tajikistan a penalty after Kevin Ingreso took down Davronov Nuriddin inside the box.
The visitors took a 1-0 lead after Nazarov Akhtam converted the penalty.
But Ingreso made up for his crucial mistake at the 75th minute, heading Iain Ramsey’s cross to tie the match at 1-1 and to put the Philippines’ dream of Asian Cup qualification back on track.
The visitors then fouled Patrick Reichelt inside the penalty box to earn the home side a penalty.
Younghusband scored his 50th international goal for the Philippines with the spot kick in the 90th minute to seal the deal.
There was added drama and tension before the final whistle, with Tajikistan’s Fathullo Fathuloev and the Azkals’ Dennis Villanueve sent off in stoppage time after a tussle.
Group F runner-up Yemen also qualified and will join the Philippines in next year’s Asian Cup.
