Azkals top group in Gold Cup

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Azkals clinched the No. 1 spot in Group B of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup after frustrating host Bangladesh in front of a nearly 30,000-strong home crowd, 1-0, Friday night at Sylhet Stadium in Bangladesh.

Kenshiro Daniels delivered the marginal goal while Louie Casas provided a sterling performance between the sticks as the Azkals completed a sweep of their two group assignments and booked the top seeding heading into the semis.

The Pinoy booters, who opened their bid in the six-nation tourney with a 3-1 drubbing of Laos, will next face the No. 2 team in Group A – either Tajikistan or Nepal – in the Last-4.

“We did our best and we’ve been working hard together so we deserve this result,” said Casas, who was adjudged Man of the Match.

The Filipinos drew first blood in the 23rd minute on a fine team interplay that saw skipper Misagh Bahadoran extricating himself from his defenders to issue a lovely ball to Daniels, who did his part and beat Bangladeshi keeper Rana for the opener.