MANILA – Bjorn Martin Kristensen delivered one of the finest individual performances in Philippine football history, firing all four goals in the Azkals’ emphatic 4–1 demolition of Timor-Leste in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers on Thursday night at the Territory Rugby League Stadium in Darwin, Australia.
The 23-year-old Danish-Filipino winger singlehandedly carried the national squad’s offense, scoring in the 15th, 31st, 49th, and 56th minutes to power the Philippines to the top of Group A with seven points from two wins and a draw.
Kristensen opened the scoring early by pouncing on a rebound before doubling the lead with a composed solo finish. Timor-Leste briefly cut the deficit to 2–1 after Paulo Gali struck two minutes into the second half, but the Azkals’ winger swiftly restored control with two more clinical goals within seven minutes.
Randy Schneider almost added a fifth in the 61st minute, but his shot went narrowly wide. Timor-Leste’s Zenivio Conceição Mota missed a late consolation chance in the 85th minute as the Philippines saw out a convincing win.
The victory builds on the Azkals’ 2–2 draw with Tajikistan last June, maintaining their unbeaten record in the third round of the qualifiers.
The Filipinos will look to sustain their momentum when they host Timor-Leste in the return leg on October 14 at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac./PN
