Azkals advance to the second round of the World Cup qualifiers with a 4-0 win over Sri Lanka

by Celest R. Flores

KICK THAT BALL. Star striker Phil Younghusband of the Philippine Azkals kicks the ball past a Sri Lankan defender during their round one match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on July 3, 2011. For more photos of the match go to Inquirer Libre Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine national football team barged into the second round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time in history with a stunning 4-0 shutout of Sri Lanka in the 2014 Fifa round one qualifying leg at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday.

“Again we made history,” said skipper Aly Borromeo. “This is just the start and we got a long way to go.”

The Philippines, popularly known as the Azkals, peppered Sri Lanka with goals courtesy of star strikers Phil Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong and Angel Guirado.

Fil-British Younghusband, who hurt even his hamstring in the away leg in Sri Lanka, scored in the 43rd minute and on a penalty kick in the 57th.

Caligdong, hailing from Barotac Nuevo in Ilolilo and one of the remaining homegrowns in the squad, struck a goal to open up the scoring in the 19th minute while Fil-Spanish Guirado tripled it in the 51st.

Heavy rain met the kickoff, but that did not stop the Azkals from totally dominating the match with a superb display of their attacking prowess.

It was a far cry from the erratic performance of Philippine side in the 1-1 draw in Sri Lanka last June 29.

“The Philippines is a much, much better team today,” said Sri Lanka coach Jang Jung on the Azkals.

Younghusband has been on the attack since the get go, despite a muddy and slippery pitch, but his early shots either sailed wide or gathered by the agile Sri Lankan keeper.

The Philippines’ second goal was nearly nullified because of a foul on Phil before the goal, but it was officially counted after a huddle by the referees.

Meanwhile, midfielder Fil-German Stephan Schrock, who lost his cool in a scuffle, and Borromeo were both booked for their second yellow card of the entire leg.

Schrock and Borromeo may be suspended in the next game against Kuwait as per FIFA regulations.

The Azkals will meet Asian powerhouse Kuwait in another home-and-away match on July 23 and 28.

“We can’t play that much offensively against Kuwait (next round), otherwise we’ll get hammered like we’ve never seen before,” said head coach Hans Michael Weiss. Source

For more photos of the match go to Inquirer Libre Facebook .