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By: Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals absorbed their worst loss in years, as higher-ranked Uzbekistan overpowered the Filipinos, 5-1, in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan Tuesday night.
It was a stunning loss for the hosts, who managed only a single goal, while Sardor Radishov and Igor Sergeev each produced a brace for Uzbekistan.
The Uzbeks, ranked 71st in the world, struck early against the Filipinos when Odil Akhmedov found the back of the net 48 seconds into the match.
The Azkals immediately scrambled to reinforce their defense but Rashidov increased the visitors’ lead by scoring the first of his two goals 13 minutes later.
Javier Patino created a scoring chance for the Philippine side in the 30th minute, but Martin Steuble’s header went wide and missed its target.
Sergeev scored again just before the halftime break. He made it 4-0 in the 64th minute.
After Patino came close to scoring for the Azkals, the Filipinos were temporarily reduced to 10 men after Manny Ott and Stepan Palla went down following an accidental clash of heads.
In the 67th, Stephan Schrock took matters into his own hands by scoring a goal from a free kick to cut Uzbekistan’s lead.
But the Uzbeks would have none of it, as Rashidov curled the ball past Neil Etheridge minutes later to make it 5-1 for the visiting team.
The victory boosted Uzbekistan’s Group H standing to second place with 6 points and a goal difference advantage over the Philippines which in third place. North Korea is leading the group with 9 points.
The Philippines will have to finish in the top 2 of the group to advance to the next round of the competition.
The Azkals still have five matches left in the round.
They will next face the North Koreans in Pyongyang on October 8.
Photo: Azkals/Facebook
This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
