Playing in a pouring rain, Phil Younghusband scored twice while Chieffy Caligdong and Angel Guirado added one goal each.
Phil was injured in the first Sri Lanka match in Colombo last Wednesday, but that did not deter him from scoring Sunday afternoon.
Striker Caligdong's shot ricocheted off the left goal post and went in to give the Philippines a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute of the opening half.
James Younghusband (right) of the Philippines chases a Sri Lankan player in their game 2014 World Cup Asia group playoffs at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Caligdong showcased his veteran moves against a three-man Sri Lanka defense line protecting the front of the goal, but with highly-skilled footwork, he positioned the ball to a spot where a gap opened.
The gap was small enough for the ball to go through, powered by a banana kick Caligdong executed by using the inside of his foot to strike the outside of the ball, which shot straight the right goal post and bouncing rightward into the net.
At the 43rd minute, Phil made his first goal to make it 2-0.
Phil was able to outwit a Sri Lankan defender and goalkeeper Manjula Fernando, who came up to meet him. The younger Younghusband nudged the ball to the left. The front of the goal was wide open. Another Sri Lankan was rushing in to try to stop him, but the Azkals' midfielder simply beat him to the ball and shot it into the goal with a banana kick using his left leg.
After the half-time break, the Azkals showed why it's called the "beautiful game" with a picture-perfect play as James Younghusband sent a pass to Filipino-Spanish midfielder Angel Guirado who caught it as he got away from his defender. It was Guirado versus Sri Lankan keeper Fernando, mano-a-mano. Guirado evaded the goalkeeper and kicked in the ball to make it 3-0 in the 50th minute. Phil's direct kick at the 56th minute padded the Azkals lead, and the celebration was on.
The Philippines won the first round tie with a 5-1 aggregate score over Sri Lanka. The first leg of the Philippines-Sri Lanka qualifying match ended in a 1-1 draw in Colombo.
Historic day for PHL football
The Philippines has, for the first time in its football history, won a FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff match.
Advancing to Round 2 of the Asian playoffs, the men's national football team will face a higher-ranked team in a very different and Middle Eastern climate unlike the rain-drenched match they just had.
"We will play different football... given the hot conditions the goal is to not waste energy," coach Michael Weiss said in the post-match news conference.
Weiss said he will wait for official confirmation on whether team captain Aly Borromeo can play in the next game despite getting two yellow cards. "We are Azkals. We are used to difficult situations," Weiss said when asked on what adjustments he will make if Borromeo will be barred from playing in the away game on July 23 in Kuwait. The home game will be on July 29 at the Rizal Stadium.
Philippine Azkals coach Michael Weiss (right) greets his players on the field after beating Sri Lanka.
In Malacañang, President Benigno Aquino III congratulated the Azkals for their victory, which he said thrilled the entire nation.
“Truly, there is no place like home, as those gathered at the Rizal Memorial and who gathered before their TV sets today experienced," Aquino said in a statement.
Several public personalities and high-ranking officials, including Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Senators Migz Zubiri and TG Guingona, were on hand to support the Azkals. -with reports from Mav C. Gonzales/Earl Rosero/OMG/JVP/HS, GMA News
Photos by Danny Pata using Canon EOS 1D and Canon 400mm f2.8 L IS USM.
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