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[av_heading heading=’Younghusband hits 2 in Azkals’ drubbing of Nepal in Asian Cup’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Thursday, March 30, 2017
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Azkals star Phil Younghusband (10) rallies past Nepal to lead the way for the Philippine team in their 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier match on Tuesday.ABS-CBN
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MANILA – The Philippine Azkals opened its campaign in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on a bright note with a 4-1 domination of Nepal on Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Phil Younghusband fired two goals, while Iain Ramsay and Javier Patino added a conversion each for the Azkals, which took the early lead in the Group F standings with three points.
Younghusband could have surged the Azkals ahead as early as the 12th minute but his shot was deflected by Nepalese Bikram Lana.
However, Younghusband refused to be denied as he fired consecutive goals – first a penalty kick in the 21st minute and another two minutes later from a pass by Manuel Ott.
The Azkals widened the lead to 3-0 as Ramsay scored on a direct attempt past Nepal keeper Kiram Kumar Limbu. The Nepalese, however, trimmed the deficit before halftime on a Bishal Rai hit.
In the second half, the Nepalese team failed to mount a comeback against the tight defense of the Azkals. In the 74th minute, the home team sealed the lopsided win with a Patino conversion.
“It was difficult in the beginning. Nepal prepared for three weeks in high altitude. We know that they can run for 90 minutes,” said Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley. “I’m very happy with three points, I’m happy with how we created combinations.”
“Result is not good for us. We had to change plan. It is difficult to control the game,” said Nepal head coach Koji Gyotoku. “We have a hard time guarding (Azkals) players especially No. 7 (Younghusband) and No. 19 (Jeffrey Christiaens).”
The Azkals, which played without injured Misagh Bahadoran, retired Ronald Muller and suspended Martin Steuble, will be back in action on June 13 against Tajikistan at the latter’s home turf./PN
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