The Azkals are for every Juan

by Renee A. Fopalan
At a time when our senses are bombarded by everything Azkals, it may seem easy to forget what they really do. They’re everywhere, endorsing food, shoes, credit cards, mobile phones, and everything else in between. Last Sunday, the Azkals showed us what they are about- what they are really about. Last Sunday, we laid down the foundation towards the road to the World Cup.

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.”

Azkals crush Sri Lanka, will face Kuwait in 2nd round

(Updated 7:01 p.m.) In front of a drenched full-capacity home crowd, the Philippine Azkals clobbered Sri Lanka in the second leg of their 2014 World Cup Asia qualifiers, advancing to the second round where the Pinoy footballers will face Kuwait.

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.

Azkals up lead vs Brave Reds, 4-0

by Dennis Gasgonia and Ira Pedrasa

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – The Philippine Azkals now have a 4-0 lead over the Sri Lankan Brave Reds in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Azkals winger Chieffy Caligdong scored the first goal at the 18th minute.
He found the back of the net with a strike in the 18th minute that caromed off the left post.
Another goal by Azkals striker Phil Younghusband in the 42nd minute made it 2-0 in favor of the Philippines.
The Filipino-British footballer evaded 2 defenders and the Sri Lankan goal keeper to increase the Azkals' lead.