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Philippine Azkals. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals ended the September international window with a 2-1 comeback win over Afghanistan in a friendly match held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Jens Rasmussen scored the equalizer after an incredible solo effort before a Christian Rontini header proved to be the winner for the Azkals in front of their home fans.
Coach Michael Weiss’ team atoned for last Friday’s 1-1 draw against Chinese-Taipei in Kaohsiung when the Azkals conceded a goal in the final moments of the match.
Both results should help give the men’s national team a boost ahead of action in the World Cup/Asian Cup qualifiers.
Two friendlies are scheduled next month for the final international period before the qualifiers.
The manner in which they won is something the Azkals will look to continue in the coming months, especially after letting Afghanistan take the lead in the second half.
Omid Popalzay broke the ice in the 64th when he smashed Farshaad Noor’s cross into the roof of the net, much to the dismay of goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after the Afghan substitute was left unmarked in the penalty area.
But the Azkals leveled in the 74th when Rasmussen dribbled all the way from the halfway line before firing a low left-footed shot past two defenders, a move that thrilled the partisan crowd.
Rontini later produced his first international goal with a header from Bienvenido Maranon’s cross in the 81st, putting the hosts ahead for good.
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