AFC Challenge Cup: Palestine vs Philippines Update 3

0 — 0

Philippines vs Palestine

After watching the delayed telecast of the match, here are the numbers:

Philippines		Palestine
0	Goals	0
8 (5)	Shots Taken (on Target)	19 (7)
2	Corner	9
0	Offside	1
8	Free Kick	5
3	Yellow Card	1
0	Red Card	0

I got the Corner Kick and Free Kick numbers from ABS-CBN but the rest I counted it myself.  We differ in the Shots Taken stat (they had Philippines-13 and Palestine-18).  I dunno if mine are accurate, especially the Shots on Target numbers coz it can be a bit difficult to decide if it’s on target or not.  Anyway, in counting the shots (and shots on target), I based this on the definition here (and after reading this definition, I’m doubting the accuracy in my Shots stats in the Myanmar game… oh well, I guess I’ll learn as I move along J).

Yellow Cards:

            Simon Greatwich (Philippines)

M S Albahdari Abdallatif (Palestine)

            Anton Del Rosario (Philippines)

            James Younghusband (Philippines)

I know this isn’t usually done but I’m separating the figures of the 1^st half from the 2^nd half so you can see how the game changed from after halftime.  Coz sometimes a team starts slow at first and would pick up in the second half, or vice versa.  And if you just look at the over-all stats, sometimes it won’t tell you the complete story of the game, so here’s my 1^st half-2^nd half breakdown of the stats J

As I’ve said in the Myanmar vs Philippines post-game post (J), I know this is like days too late and there have been a lot of news/reports on this game, but here are my two cents on this match (if you’re interested):

Philippines			Palestine
1st Half	2nd Half		1st Half	2nd Half
0	0	Goals	0	0
0 (0)	8 (5)	Shots Taken (on Target)	12 (3)	7 (4)
2	0	Corner	7	2
0	0	Offside	1	0
1	7	Free Kick	2	3
1	2	Yellow Card	0	1
0	0	Red Card	0	0

1)   It was great that ABS-CBN did not anymore spend an hour in the pre-match analysis (the last time the game ended at almost 2AM).  But I think they’re not used to airing football matches coz they sold a lot of ad slots (or maybe they were just looking at the profit? :P) and it’s funny because they crammed it all during the pre-, halftime and post- match analysis.  The commentators would only say like 3-5 sentences and then cut to a commercial break.  It was a bit ridiculous coz it seemed like the ads were longer than the actual analysis “spots”/segments.

2)   Looking at the stats, I guess you can say that Palestine is really one of the stronger teams in this group.  They had quite a lot of attempts in the 1^st half and even though only a few are on target, those were really dangerous shots.  But Etheridge is an excellent goalie and saved us from conceding goals

3)   Although we had zero shot attempts in the 1^st half, it was not without trying on our part.  There were some beautiful crosses from JYounghusband and Caligdong but it just couldn’t find someone in the center to finish off the shot.  The Palestine defense was just so tight and organized, they made it really hard for the Azkals to create scoring opportunities.

Chieffy Caligdong 
photo courtesy of Craig Burrows and
Roy Moore of pinoyfootball.com.  More pics here.

4)   Speaking of attack, Guirado didn’t really make his presence felt in this match, especially in the 1^st half.  I dunno if it’s because of Palestine’s compact defense or he was just a tad bit slower in this game.  Was he injured in their previous game?  ..Caligdong had a few opportunities but Palestine’s defense was really good.  However, I like the fact that he also created chances for the Azkals, he some great set up crosses, as did JYounghusband.

5)   With Palestine’s attack, yes, they had a lot of shot attempts and very fast with their counter but a few of them were like 40-50 yard runs.  Personally, I’m not really impressed coz I prefer the quick, one-two passes among players, showing fluid team play.  But, that’s just me J  Palestine also have two amazing long shot attempts.  One was during the 1^st half by N O Alfawaghra Ashraf and the second one was in the 2^nd half which I think was still by the same player (I’m not sure).

6)   Palestine’s H A Mahanja Ahmed (the one with the #12 jersey, who I think is also their team captain) was quite a threat to the Azkals’ defense.  I wonder how old he is, is he Palestine’s version of our Barsales?  But then again, just because your bald doesn’t mean you’re old, hehe J Take Wayne Rooney, can you believe he’s only twenty five?  He kind looks like he’s in his 30s :P

7)   In this match, we faced a more “bigger” opponent.  Unlike the Myanmar game, the Palestinians players are tall.  But we held our own, we have the likes of Aldeguer, Borromeo, Younghusband, Etheridge, etc., so I guess you can’t really say we’re the smaller team, “physique-wise”.

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Philippines vs Myanmar Update

Myanmar vs Philippines Replay Skeds:

March 23 @ 10:15PM on Studio 23

March 24 @ 3PM on Studio 23
March 24 @ 12NN on Balls Channel
March 25 @ 4PM on Balls Channel

Here’s the Official Statement from ABS-CBN regarding the replay of the Philippines vs Myanmar match:

Barring any flight delays, ABS-CBN Sports will air MYA-PHL match tom. at 10:15 p.m. (replay on Mar. 24, Thurs., 3 p.m.) on St. 23. Video quality is far from the best as it was shot by MRTV.

was this the shot that scored the equalizer? 
We'll just have to wait for the replay.  More pics here

So in the mean time, you can check out these news articles on the game:

Azkals held to draw by late injury time goal

Azkals blow won game, take draw

Azkals settle for draw with Myanmar

Myanmar denies win for Philippine Azkals in 1-1 draw

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Philippines vs Myanmar

1 — 1

Myanmar vs Philippines

March 21 @ 5PM (Philippine Time)

The match ended with a 1-1 draw.  What makes it a heartbreaking result is that Myanmar equalized during the last minute (literally!) of the stoppage time.  Last minute goals are pretty frustrating if you're the team leading in score.  'Coz you're there thinking, you've got it in the bag, just a few minutes more... and all of a sudden, you lose your lead and you barely have time left to get it back.  But, that's football for you... anything can happen.

I can't really say anything more about the match since there was no live telecast.  Myanmar did not grant our request for a live coverage of the game, we had to rely on twitter updates by people who were there (sucks, right?).  ABS-CBN will try to secure a copy of the video coverage of the match and the person who will be bringing the video to the Philippines will arrive here by Wednesday (Mar 25) morning and ABS will try to air it as soon as they can.

I’ll update you in case I’ll find photos of the game.

If you haven’t caught the live twitter updates, I’ve tried to collate the tweets of @craigburrows, @DYANCASTILLEJO, @cedelfpt, @philfootball and @PhilYHusband to get an “almost” minute-by-minute commentary (“almost” because internet connection in Myanmar is patchy). 

Here you go:

1^st Half

à 1 minute of silence for japan

à Kick off

            @cedelfpt: azkals in blue kits with Myanmar in red and white.  Etheridge in black

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: myanmar has the ball

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: corner kick for Myanmar and neil gets the ball

            @cedelfpt: angel strikes an imposing figure on the pitch.  First corner to myanmar.

à 3^rd minute

            @cedelfpt: Neil fumbles corner but recovers. oooh

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: good catch by myanmar goalie

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: foul by new spanish forward aldeguer guirado

à 5^th minute

            @cedelfpt: james sends a cross to ian but myanmar keeper safely holds on

à 6^th minute

@cedelfpt: #azkals on the backfoot in the first 6 mins. Bt defense looks stable.anton and rob centerbacks

à 8^th minute

            @cedelfpt: neil saves a glancing header from Yan Paing off a corner

à 9^th minute

            @cedelfpt: Myanmar’s first real chance.  Pai Soe 1-on-1 wd Neil, sends shot wide

à 11^th minute

            @cedelfpt: #azkals under real pressure. Another Pai Soe effort just wide

@cedelfpt: myanmar already has 4 chances.  They’ve been raiding flanks, esp right on gener’s side

à 14^th minute

            @cedelfpt: Pai Soe tests Neil again from 30 yards.  Easy save, still 0-0

            @cedelfpt: @DYANCASTILLEJO’s tweetdeck has stopped working

@craigburrows: Pai Soe shoots wide in a 1v1. Myanmar playing good football, come on #Azkals show your support Philippines!

            @cedelfpt: believe it or not, Chieffy Caligdong has yet to touch d ball

@craigburrows: Myanmar playing good football but Etheridge has kept them out.  Philippines look to counter and get a free kick, Myanmar clear

à 18^th minute

@cedelfpt: chieffy has touched the ball, albeit briefly.  Neil wd another save on header from Yang Paing

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: Neil saving many attempts

@craigburrows: Guirado is sent clear on the left wing, puts in an inviting cross but Myanmar defend well.  Lots of counter-attacking football

à 22^nd minute

@cedelfpt: chieffy wd steal bt touch to heavy, loses ball.  Angel (Guirado) wd cross bt no one gets touch on.  Still 0-0

@craigburrows: Greatwich brought down in the Azkals half.  Etheridge hits the freekick up and Guirado shows strength but Myanmar clear again

à 25^th minute

@cedelfpt: Pai Soe wd a cross, far post to Myo Min Tun wd a shot from 10 yards that goes wide.  0-0

@cedelfpt: its been a 1-way traffic for myanmar in first 25 min

@cedelfpt: Pai Soe again catches gener sleeping, another clear chance goes over d bar.

@craigburrows: Myanmar break and a cross is sent wide by MM Tun.  Myanmar get clear again and have a great chance but Pai Soe shoots over

à 30^th minute

@cedelfpt: Han Win Aun dispossessed by Chieffy again. Bt chance goes up in smoke,and Aung gets a jeers from home crowd.  0-0

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: Myanmar more than 7 attempts at goal boal

@craigburrows: Araneta gets through and has a chance but is called back for offside.  #Azkals moving forward now from a long defensive period

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: ball handling of myanmar very good getting through our defense

à 31^st minute

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: 31 minutes passed myanmar so many near goal…phils barely 2

à 32^nd minute

@cedelfpt: angel (Guirado) floats a dangerous cross after a 20-yard run wd stepovers. Great skill bt no 1 der to finish.

            @DYANCASTILLEJO: anghel (Guirado) had 1 from outside but too far…myanmar is fast

à 33^rd minute

@cedelfpt: no clear cut chance for #azkals yet

@DYANCASTILLEJO: anghel (Guirado) fighting for ball but lost it…ball mostly with myanmar but we’re trying

@DYANCASTILLEJO: thank GOD!!!!!another miss but almost goal so near…ball was high over goal corner now myanmar

@DYANCASTILLEJO: thank God another save by niel etheridge ball still with myanmar corner again for myanmar

à 35^th minute

@cedelfpt: gener beaten on right flank by d skipper Myo Min Tun, Ray clears dangerous cross. 0-0

à 36^th minute

@DYANCASTILLEJO: no goals…36 mins na 0-0

@cedelfpt: its a pity that phil and angel (Guirado) aren’t playing together should’ve been a great combination

@DYANCASTILLEJO: myanmar passing good,fast...calm oh no another one

à 39^th minute

@cedelfpt: james sends a low cross from right,but myanmar clears it

à 40^th minute

@DYANCASTILLEJO: 40 mins into game 0-0

à 41^st minute

@cedelfpt: myanmar’s wing play causing #azkals problems

à 43^rd minute

@DYANCASTILLEJO: 2 minutes to halftime

@philfootball: Couple more minutes before halftime

@DYANCASTILLEJO: players come to bench for water

@DYANCASTILLEJO: its very hot…players from -15 in Mongolia to +30 deg today…thats what sportsmen have to deal with

@cedelfpt: Yan Pain clutching his ankle. gets treatment. 1 additional minute injury time first half

@philfootball: +1 minute added time before halftime break

@cedelfpt: Myanmar free kick. Easily gathered. Halftime 0-0

2^nd Half

@DYANCASTILLEJO: 2^nd half just started

@philfootball: 2nd half!

@craigburrows: forgive the slow coverage, internet keeps crashing and blocking tweets.  Barseles replaces Araneta for the restart.

@DYANCASTILLEJO: @cedelfpt having connection problems. Half time change yanti (Barsales) for Ian (Araneta)

@craigburrows: back online and the game begins.  Both teams battling hard for the ball but lacking the final ball

@craigburrows: long throws have been dangerous all day but the Philippines clear and

have a penalty shoot denied.

@craigburrows: Borromeo cuts out a pass and the throw-in is cleared.  Myanmar shoot from distance but Etheridge watches it wide.

@craigburrows: #Azkals are more attackive minded now and put in a few crosses but they’re cleared.  Guirado chests down for James YH but saved.

@craigburrows: Pai Soe breaks again and puts in another cross.  Philippines clears and win a free kick in their half.  #Azkals more positive

@craigburrows: internet is holding up and chants run around the stadium.  H W Aung (DF) is replaced by S M OO (ST) – Myanmar look to attack.

@craigburrows: Pai Soe goes down the line and puts in a dangerous cross.  #Azkals clear and it’s a Myanmar throw.

@craigburrows: Cleared by the Phils and a long ball upfield is picked up by Myanmar who bring it forward.  Their attack filters out though.

à by this point, I think all three (@craigburrows, @DYANCASTILLEJO and @cedelfpt) have lost internet connection

à 65^th minute

@philfootball: 65^th min and still 0-0

à 72^nd minute

@philfootball: 72’ 0-0

à 73^rd minute

@philfootball: Red card for Myanmar 73’!

@craigburrows: spoke too soon about the internet.  After a gret 15 minutes it’s patchy again.  That means less updates I’m afraid.

à 76^th minute

@DYANCASTILLEJO: GOAL! Now Philippine 1-0 Myanmar

@philfootball: 76’ GOOOOOALLLLLL PHILIPPINES!!!

@PhilYHusband: Yes James!

@philfootball: 76’ GOAAALLLLL JAMES YOUNGHUSBAND!!!

@craigburrows: James Younghusband scores penalty!!!! 1-0 Philippines!!!!

à 81^st minute

@philfootball: 81’ MYA 0 v 1 PHILIPPINES. 1 red card for MYA. 76’ Goal for Philippines by James Younghusband @JHY53

à 85^th minute

@philfootball: 85’ still MYA 0 v 1 PHILIPPINES. A few more minutes before the final whistle!

à 88^th minute

@philfootball: 88’ MYA 0 v 1 PHILIPPINES!!!  Two more minutes guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

à 90^th minute

@philfootball: 90’ MYA 0 v 1 PHILIPPINES! There might be a couple or three minutes of added time.

@PhilYHusband: Nooooooooooooo!

@philfootball: 90+’ MYA 1 v 1 PHILIPPINES!

@philfootball: FINAL SCORE MYA 1 v 1 PHILIPPINES

@PhilYHusband: 1-1 full time! :(

à 20 minutes after the game:

@craigburrows: internet issues but it’s back.  Myanmar score last minute equalizer.  FINAL SCORE: 1-1

@craigburrows: Sorry that we had problems with the internet.  Coach says it was a fair result.

@craigburrows: Absolutely exhausted and sorry to say photos are not good because of bright sunlight on one half shadow on the other

@craigburrows: Roy Moore was the star tweeting through the match.  I was photographer and not so good.

à 1 hour after the game

@cedelfpt: guys apologies for the non-tweets in 2^nd half. no connection.no tv coverage again on wed and fri

@anton_delro: Heartbreak! 1-1draw in the 90^th minute from a lucky free kick.  No bueno but we’ll keep on keepin’ on!  Game vs Palestine Wednesday!

@cedelfpt: same time game on wed and fri

@cedelfpt: Scorers: James Younghusband 76^th minute (PK) Khin Muang Lwin (90+2)


MATCH SUMMARY

UPDATE: check this link to see tweets from @DYANCASTILLEJO that were probably blocked or unposted because of the intermittent internet connection.  It explains how we got the Penalty Kick that scored our goal (poor Yanti Barsales... ouch!)

AFC Challenge Cup Pre-Qualifiers: Philippines vs. Mongolia 2nd Leg Recap

1 – 2

Philippines vs. Mongolia

It was a loss for the Azkals but they will still be advancing to the Qualifying Group Stage as they lead in the final aggregate score.  It was a different Blue Wolves that played in today’s match as they had more chances and more ball possession compared to how they performed in the 1^st Leg.

There were factors that could have influenced the outcome.  The obvious one is the freezing temperature.  Azkals are clearly not used to playing in really cold weather and it had a definite impact on their speed and agility.  Another possible factor could be the missing key players.  The Azkals’ defense was not as compact as I would have wanted it to be.  Could it be because Gier and De Jong were out?  Did Sabio need more practice time with the team so he’d have more seamless play with Borromeo?  Of course, Etheridge was also missing.  Sacapaño did okay but there were moments when he could just not lock down that save, like what happened in the 2^nd goal of Mongolia.

Did they re-arrange the positions a bit? I think Borromeo played more in defense in this match compared to  the 1^st leg where he was in attacking midfield (I’m not really sure what the other changes are).  

P. Younghusband was not in his top form, there were instances when he’d go to the sides and get some medical attention.  He got substituted in the 2^nd half and seemed to have injured his hamstring.  Wasn’t he injured in their Baguio practice game?

Over-all, it was great match with both sides having their chances in scoring, unlike the 1^st leg which was pretty much one-sided.  I like the pairing of commentators, one was an excitable announcer and the other one was this calm British guy.  At least this time, they didn’t call it a free throw J

Final Aggregate Score:

Philippines: 3

Mongolia: 2

Here are numbers:

Philippines		Mongolia
1	Goals scored	2
12	Shots on Goal	16
7	Free Kicks	6
1	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0

Goals:

            3^rd minute – James Younghusband (Philippines)

            21^st minute – Lumbengarav Donorov (Mongolia)

            33^rd minute – Garidmagnai Bayasgalan (Mongolia)

So now, the Azkals will join Bangladesh, Myanmar and Palestine in Group A for the Qualifiers Group Stage.  Their next game will against Myanmar on March 21, 5PM in Philippine Time.