Holtmann right man for Azkals 

MANILA, Philippines — Celebrated debutant Gerrit Holtmann delivered a magical strike in stoppage time to lift the Philippine Azkals to a vital 1-0 win over host Mongolia in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers yesterday at the MFF Stadium in Ulaanbaatar.

Showing the skills that won him acclaim in the Bundesliga, Holtmann outwitted his defender off a corner to fire a left-footed stunner from the tip of the box in the third minute of added time and boost the Azkals’ bid for qualification to next year’s Continental showpiece.

With the full three points secured, the Pinoy booters hiked their card to four markers on a win and a draw (0-0 against Yemen) and grabbed the Group B lead from idle Palestine (three points) at presstime.

Holtmann’s late winner averted a potentially damaging stalemate for the Azkals, who couldn’t convert on their 17 previous attempts, including a penalty kick by Patrick Reichelt that Mongolian keeper Munkh-Erdene Enkhtaivan saved.

“I was always trying to convince the players to play football and not get into a long-ball fight, back-and-forth. We needed to play and create,” said coach Thomas Dooley, whose charges had a 77 percent possession rate. “We got great chances from Gerrit and of course, we’re happy we scored the goal and we won. We’re still alive.”

The Azkals will gun for the Asian Cup-clinching win on Tuesday against Palestine.

It was a maiden appearance to remember for Holtmann, the Fil-German winger who scored nine goals for Vfl Bochum, including a sensational solo effort in their 2-0 win over Mainz that won Goal of the Year honors.