MANILA – Bjørn Kristensen completed a brace to help the Philippine men’s football team force a 2-2 draw against Tajikistan in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night at the New Clark City Stadium in Tarlac.
The 23-year-old winger from Eliteserien club KFUM Oslo drew first blood for Team Philippines in the 28th minute by kicking in the ball as a follow up to Gerrit Holtmann’s attempt.
Mabatshoev Shervoni, however, was able to get past Philippine team goal keeper Kevin Ray Mendoza to equalize for Tajikistan at 1-1 before taking a step further courtesy of a penalty kick by Umarbaev Parvizdzhon in the 42nd minute.
Kristensen, however, delivered anew for the Philippine squad in the 79th minute as it tied the score at 2-2 all and forcing both squads share a point in the qualification tournament.
“They did their best to get the result. Before the game, we knew that it’s going to be a difficult game. But I think the players put a lot of heart in the game. They did a good effort,” said Philippine head coach Carles Cuadrat.
“They didn’t allow us to get the three points but still, we have one and we will try to win the competition and keep going,” he added.
Both sides will resume their campaigns on October 9. The Philippines will travel to face Timor Leste, while Tajikistan will host the Maldives in Dushanbe.
The top team at the end of six matches will book a seat in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia./PN
