AFC Challenge Cup: Azkals suffer 2-0 defeat to title holder NoKor

Marwin Angeles and Paul Mulders were partnered in central midfield and the Philippines suffered for the lack of a more defensive midfielder who would fight hard to win the ball in the middle.  

North Korea dominated possession with short, sharp passes though the Philippines managed an early attempt when Phil Younghusband burst down the right flank. His shot was saved comfortably in the end.

North Korea had the best chance to open the scoring early in the half after a soft penalty was given when Luis Guirado slid in and caught their striker. Pak Song-Chol took the penalty and scored but the referee cancelled the goal and ordered a retake as a North Korean player encroached in the area too soon. Philippine keeper Neil Etheridge, on the retake, guessed it right and blocked the penalty with his legs to keep the match to a scoreless tie. North Korea, spurred on by their miss, bombarded the goal but Etheridge again held firm to stop their attempts.  

The reigning Challenge Cup champions almost scored again soon after, when Carli De Murga was being treated off the pitch, as they broke down the right flank and crossed for the 19-year-old Jong Il-Gwan who was unmarked at the back post. He headed down but Etheridge pulled off another good save to keep the Philippines in the game.

The North Koreans continued the pressure and a long ball over the top found Pak in space. He turned Jonsson on the left and went past Etheridge in goal, shooting with his left foot but Jason Sabio made a block on the line. There was a hint of handball as it seemed to strike the top of his arm but a penalty would have been just as harsh as the one beforehand as he was tucking his arm into his body.

Later North Korea shot and Etheridge saved but couldn't hold the ball. Pak was standing in an offside position and as Etheridge recovered to pounce on the ball he slid in dangerously on the keeper. Etheridge reacted to the tackle and put heads together. Pak diving, pretending there was a headbutt, got Etheridge booked for the confrontation while the North Korean escaped without punishment for the dangerous lunge.

In the 40th minute the Azkals managed to finally fashion a chance, albeit a half-chance, as Phil Younghusband was hassled on the ball before James Younghusband fought and managed to lay off to Angel Guirado who shot on the turn. His effort was just deflected wide though and Mulders blasted over from the corner. Five minutes of half-time ended with North Korea missing another chance, blasting over from inside the area, and the Azkals must have been a little relieved to have been going in level.  

Second half  

The 2010 World Cup Qualifiers tried to further assert themselves in the second half. It took them until the 59th minute to break the deadlock, as Pak headed in from a great first time cross by Jong Il-Gwan. Etheridge was left with no chance but questions will be asked of the marking. Philippines coach Michael Weiss immediately made a change to try and get back into the game, replacing Marwin Angeles with Moy. Moy's first involvement in the game, though, was to take the goalscorer down and earn a yellow card.  

North Korea pushed for the second goal and the game opened up as the Philippines went in search of an equalizer. North Korea struck next, though, as Etheridge dropped the looping cross allowing Jang to knock the ball into the empty goal. There were suspicions of foul-play as the 18-year-old midfielder was suspected of holding Etheridge but the referee didn't see it and North Korea doubled their lead.  

Caligdong then took to the field in place of Mulders to try and add a creative spark to the team before Rob Gier replaced Luis Guirado in defense as the final substitution gave the returning Philippine veterans some playing time after their injuries.  

Next up: India The game wrapped up without another clear goalscoring opportunity. It was an expected defeat and a game North Korea deserved to win on performance but it is still something to build on for the Azkals who will be looking to bounce back against India on March 11. Positive results against India and Tajikistan can still see the Philippines qualify from the group but a loss against India would mean the Philippines would have no chance of reaching the semifinals. — JVP/ELR, GMA News