Azkals stun Bahrain in WCQ opener
By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno
Bocaue—The 137th-ranked Philippine Azkals began their quest for a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a staggering 2-1 victory against 106th-ranked Bahrain at the Philippine Sports Stadium on Thursday night.
Misagh Bahadoran, replacing an injured Stephan Schrock delivered in the 50th minute with his first international goal that put his team up, 1-0.
Javier Patiño duplicated with a 60th minute shot that stunned Bahrain’s defensive line.
Al-Malood scored the consolation goal for the visitors two minutes into stoppage time.
The win was the first time a Philippine national team beat Bahrain in an international competition.
The Azkals will next face Yemen on the road on Tuesday. Despite being a home game for the Yemenis, the match will be played in Doha, Qatar as FIFA barred Yemen from holding football matches there as a safety precaution because of the ongoing civil war there.
Yemen lost to North Korea, 0-1, in another match played on Thursday.
