Strut Awesome Form Vs Nepalese
MANILA, Philippines - After firing blanks in a previous friendly with Malaysia, the Philippine Azkals’ vaunted strikers finally found their mark as they thrashed a 10-man Nepal, 4-1, at the start of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Skipper Phil Younghusband and Javier Patino, who formed the tip of the attack, netted three goals between themselves with winger Ian Ramsay joining the scoresheet for good measure.
Younghusband, who now has 45 international goals to his name after netting a brace against the Gorkhalis, said the scoring spree should boost their confidence heading into the next match against Tajikistan in three month’s time.
“I always enjoy playing with Javi (Patino). He’s a very good player and it’s always easy to when you’re playing with good players,” said Younghusband, who’s deployed up front again after a spell as playmaker with the national team.
“I think we have good relations even off the field and that helps. And we’re always communicating. We both scored and that gives us both a lot of confidence. As a striker, the more confident you are the better,” he added.
Patino, a missing element in the AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, helped energize Phl XI’s offensive and figured in two of the goals. He drilled in a superb finish at the 74th for good measure.
Younghusband, meanwhile, had to atone for a 13th minute penalty that was saved. Kiran Mumar Limbu guessed Younghusband’s spot-kick right and foiled what could have been the opening goal but the Phl’s top scorer returned to convert the second penalty.
“My dad always taught me when you miss one, it’s important you take the second one because otherwise, that would play on your mind until the time you do score,” Younghusband said.
“It’s always important to get a goal as soon as possible because then you forget the missed one. I was happy to get another chance, thanks to my teammates,” he added.
The Azkals sit atop Group with three points, slightly ahead of Yemen, which beat Tajikistan in the other group match over in the Yemenis’ designated home venue in Qatar, 2-1.
“Overall, I’m very happy with the points; that’s what we wanted,” said Azkals coach Thomas Dooley. “I’m happy that we played the ball nicely, did some great combinations. But we could be better, of course.”