The Philippine Azkals had a big win against Mongolia in Bacolod last February. While the Azkals have the advantage in qualifying for the AFC Challenge Cup, playing at the Blue Wolves' home turf is big challenge altogether. For about a month, they trained up north to Baguio and Japan to prepare themselves for the cold weather in Mongolia. The earthquake that struck Japan almost hindered the Azkals to make their flight to Ulan Bator, Mongolia.
Inevitably, the Mongolians have the edge when it comes to playing in freezing temperature. The Azkals were without key players like Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier and Chris Greatwich. Another Azkals player Ray Jonnson almost didn't make it to the lineup as he flew in to Mongolia just in time. Despite it all, the Philippine Team were just as ready to take on the Blue Wolves.
James Younghusband scored a goal for the Azkals early in the game. Soon enough the Azkals would struggle in scoring as the Blue Wolves defense started to tighten up. The Mongolians were also having problems in the offensive end until skipper Lumbengarov Donorov scored an equalizer over the Azkals' slacking defense. Things got even worse when Jason Sabio of the Azkals made a defensive lapse by fouling Tsedenbal Normjoo on the attack. He was awarded a penalty kick.
Although Eduard Sacapano made a clean save of the ball but lost it in the end, thus giving Normjoo a follow up kick giving the Blue Wolves the lead. The freezing temperature was obviously taking a toll on the Azkals. In the second half, the Philippines' defense started giving problems to Mongolia. Just when the Azkals were playing hard nosed D on the Blue Wolves, Phil Younghusband pulled his right hamstring right in the middle of the second half and did not return to finish the game.
Despite being one man down, Azkals Captain Aly Borromeo led the team in continuing to press on the Blue Wolves. They were able to regroup on defense albeit the weather. Albeit Mongolia's lead over the Azkals, they needed to score 2 more goals to qualify for the AFC Challenge Cup. The Azkals held the Blue Wolves scoreless until the end of the game.
Mongolia defeated the Philippines 2-1 in full time but didn't qualify for the next round. By limiting Mongolia to just 2 goals the Azkals advance in the Challenge Cup via the Aggregate score of 3-2. Mongolia never scored an 'away' goal in the first leg of the qualifiers and was beaten by the Philippines 2-nil.
The 2 goals scored by the Azkals back in February gave them the advantage and according to Football pundits, the Philippines just needed at least a draw and Mongolia must score 3 or 4 goals to advance.
Albeit the Philippines moving up in the AFC Challenge Cup, the team will be without Striker Phil Younghusband for the next stage of the tournament.
The Azkals' next game will be on March 21 against Myanmar.
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