Philippine Azkals crush Sri Lanka

MANILA, Philippines -- The Azkals made history by becoming the first Philippine team to advance in the second round of FIFA World Cup.

The Filipinos defeated Sri Lanka, 4-0, (5-1 on aggregate) much to the delight of thousands of local football fans who endured the rain just to witness the match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Azkals winger Chieffy Caligdong scored the first goal in the 18th minute to put the Philippine ahead.

He found the back of the net with a strike that caromed off the left post.

Another goal by Azkals striker Phil Younghusband in the 42nd minute made it 2-0 in favor of the Philippines.

The Filipino-British footballer evaded 2 defenders and the Sri Lankan goalkeeper to increase the Azkals' lead.

An assistant match official initially ruled out Younghusband's goal because an alleged foul.

However, the senior referee overruled the sideline official, saying that the Azkal's contact with a Sri Lankan defender was only minimal.

It was Angel Guirado’s turn to score in the second half.

The Filipino-Spaniard scored the country’s third goal in the 50th minute after receiving a through ball from James Younghusband.

Guirado beat the Sri Lankans' offside trap and rounded the goalkeeper to tap the ball in.

Phil scored the fourth goal through a penalty kick in the 56th minute after Stephan Schrock was brought down by a Sri Lankan defender inside the box.

Attacking intent

The Philippines launched attacks right at the kick off as the Sri Lankans struggled under the pouring rain.

Guirado and Phil fired long-range shots that troubled the opposing goalkeeper before Caligdong scored the opening goal.

Schrock was physical against the Brave Reds and was slapped a yellow card in the match.

He was also given a yellow card in the first leg, which means that he will be barred from playing in the Azkals' next game.

Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo was also called for his 2nd yellow card in the qualifier. He is also barred from playing in the next match.

The Filipinos will take on Kuwait in the second round of the qualifiers.

Kuwait have scouted the Philippines for 2 consecutive matches, according to the Azkals media officer Rick Olivares.

Azkals up close: Misagh Bahadoran

MANILA, Philippines – For Azkals striker Misagh Bahadoran, school was his key to get into football.

The 24-year-old Filipino-Iranian said he had to prioritize his studies before he could get his father's permission to join the national team.

"They invited me to join the Philippine football team but because my fist priority was my school and college, my dad did not allow me to go," said Bahadoran.

With years of hard work in school, he earned his college degree and was finally allowed to join the Azkals.

"I just graduated as a dentist from the Centro Escolar University," said a beaming Bahadoran. "He (his father) then allowed me to play football."

Bahadoran maintained a good relationship with football ever since he was a boy.

"My brother was a very good football player. I used to play football with him so I've loved football back when I was 5, 6 years old," he said.

Now that he fulfilled his father's wishes, he's glad to fulfill his own.
"My parents are happy with what I'm doing," he said.

Personal information

Name: Misagh Medina Bahadoran 
Age: 24
Birthday: January 10, 1987Birthplace: Mabalacat, Pampanga
Position in the Azkals team: Left/ Right wing
Start of football career: He's been playing since he was 7

Where's your mother/father from?My mom is Kapampangan. She's a Filipino and my dad is Iranian.

What leagues have you played in?I played for Kaya FC, after that I went to Global FC. I'm also a national futsal player since 2006 and I was 2-time top scorer of Southeast Asia. We also qualified in AFC in Japan.
What made you decide to join the team?I wanted to try Philippine football team which before was not Azkals in 2007. They invited me to join the Philippine football team but because my fist priority was my school and college, my dad did not allow me to go. But I just graduated as a dentist from the Centro Escolar University. He then allowed me to play football. They invited me, Dan Palami, manager of Global FC, same manager of the Azkals.
What's your pet peeve? What's the thing that you hate the most?When my dad or my parents keep on asking me 'Where are you? What are you doing? Why are you late?' I hate that.
What's the best thing you like about football?The thing I really love about football is the challenge and the winning because when we win, I really love it. People are screaming and my parents are happy with what I'm doing.

Tickets for Azkals' home game vs Sri Lanka to go on sale

Tickets for the second leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers round one between the Philippines and Sri Lanka will be available on Friday, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) announced.

The PFF has teamed up with Ticketworld in the sale and distribution of the tickets. Ticket prices for the July 3 game are P3,000 (VIP Lower Box), P2,000 (VIP Upper Box), P300 (center bleachers) and P200 (side bleachers behind the goal).

PFF tournament chairman and volunteer treasurer Bonnie Ladrido is in charge of the ticket sales.

Sri Lanka (169th in the FIFA world rankings)will host the first leg of the home-and-away series on June 29. The Azkals' home game (July 3) will be played at 3:30 p.m. the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The Azkals' booster group, called the Kaholeros, will be seated at the center bleachers.

The Azkals, currently at 156th in the FIFA rankings, are training at RMSC to familiarize themselves with the pitch. The winner of the Azkals-Sri Lanka home-and-away series will face Kuwait in the next round.