Azkals score historic win over Bahrain in World Cup qualifier

The Philippine national men's football team took a successful first step in its long journey toward its World Cup dream, scoring a 2-1 upset over Bahrain on Thursday at Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan.

The Azkals, featuring what observers touted as its strongest lineup ever, stood toe-to-toe against the more fancied Middle Eastern side in the first half.

The Filipinos turned up the heat in the second half, with Misagh Bahadoran breaking the spell at the 51st minute with a goal off a Phil Younghusband assist.

Highly-regarded striker Javier Patino followed that up with a score at the 59th minute for a commanding 2-nil advantage. The Azkals dominated play the rest of the way, keeping Bahrain at bay as some 6,000 Filipino fans cheered on.

But Bahrain managed to put a damper on the Philippine party, scoring in extra time for the final result.

It was the Philippines' first-ever win against Bahrain in international play, giving the country three points in Group H that also features Uzbekistan, North Korea, and Yemen, in the first two rounds of home-and-away matches. The top two squads in the group moving on to the third round of the qualifiers. -- JST, GMA News