MANILA – The Philippine men’s football team pulled off a 2-1 victory against Maldives in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives.
Iain Ramsay and John Patrick Strauss converted a goal each in the second half on Thursday night as the Azkals improved to seven points in the standings on two victories, one draw and a defeat.
The Azkals had an opportunity to seize the advantage in the opening half but Patrick Reichelt misfired a penalty that was awarded to the Filipinos due to Maldives’ handball violation.
The national men’s football team went to work at the onset of the second half. Ramsay struck a fine strike that proved to be too much for Maldives’ stopper Mohamed Faisal.
Strauss then doubled the advantage for the Azkals at the 69th minute with a close range conversion against the defense of Faisal.
The Philippine team, however, was not able to leave the contest with a clean sheet. Hassan Naiz found a way to score a consolation strike for Maldives in the added time.
The victory was more than enough to boost the confidence of the Azkals as they seek revenge against Syria on Nov. 19, 2019 at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai.
The Syrians defeated the Azkals in their first encounter, 2-5, in Bacolod City./PN
