Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Male: The Philippines secured a second consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the AFC Challenge Cup at the expense of two-time runners-up Turkmenistan after recording a 2-0 win on Saturday.
Phil Younghusband’s free-kick opened the scoring for the Philippines at the start of the second half before Patrick Reichelt’s volley saw the Philippines secure top spot in Group B and a meeting with tournament hosts the Maldives in Tuesday’s semi-final.
Turkmenistan had to win to return to secure a third consecutive semi-finals appearance, but after Aleksandr Boliyan saw his penalty at the end of the first half saved by Philippines goalkeeper Roland Muller, the 2010 and 2012 runners-up were unable to follow up their victory over the Philippines in the semi-finals two years ago.
“We knew it would be difficult,” said Philippines coach Thomas Dooley.
“It was do or die and a challenge with their physical presence. We tried to play compact and use our quick players up front.
“Our keeper kept us alive. Today we have to recognise him and not just Phil and Patrick’s great goals.
“I know what the team can do. Our focus is on winning the Challenge Cup.”
Turkmenistan’s Suleyman Muhadov wasted the first real chance as the striker headed carelessly over the crossbar after nine minutes before team-mate Umidjan Astanov was denied by a crucial deflection five minutes later.
At the other end soon after, Ruben Doctora could only direct Stephan Schrock’s cross straight at Turkmenistan goalkeeper Farhat Bazarov.
But it was Philippines goalkeeper Muller who would be the busier of the two custodians at the end of the first half as he first produced a spectacular one-handed save to turn away Ruslan Mingazov’s curling shot from outside the penalty area.
Then three minutes before half-time, Muller again came to the Philippines’ rescue as the goalkeeper saved Boliyan’s penalty low to his right.
And three minutes into the second half the Philippines took full advantage as Younghusband curled a free-kick into the bottom corner from just outside the area.
Younghusband nearly added a second two minutes later, but after being played through by Schrock, the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup top scorer saw his effort cleared off the line.
But the Philippines did not have to wait long to add a second as substitute Reichelt raced onto a sweeping cross from the left and acrobatically volleyed home from just outside the six yard area with 18 minutes remaining.
And with 10 minutes remaining, Turkmenistan’s exit was confirmed as second half substitute Farhad Italmazov was sent-off after picking up a second yellow card in quick succession.
“I would like to congratulate the Philippines. In the first half my players did everything we told them to, but in the second half they made many mistakes,” said Turkmenistan coach Rahim Kurbanmamedov.
“If we had scored the penalty we could have changed our strategy. Therefore, in the second half we had to play attacking football.
“This is not a lucky tournament for us.”