PH Azkals wrap up second round of World Cup Qualifiers with a draw vs Maldives

The Philippine Azkals held Maldives to a 1-1 draw to close out the second round of the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers at the Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah, UAE early Wednesday morning (Manila time).

The result kept the national booters' hold of third place in Group A with 11 points on a 3-2-3 win-draw-loss card behind Syria, who's in top spot, and second-placed China.

Although it wasn't the result they had hoped for, the Filipinos are still assured of a berth in the final qualifying round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup after a 3-0 romp of Guam last Friday.

It was a slow night for both teams as Azkals' Angel Guirado only broke the deadlock at the 19th mark after he volleyed the leather through Maldives' goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal, 1-0.

The opposing camp regrouped as Ali Faisar hit an equalizer at the 25th, 1-1, but both the Filipinos and the Maldivians were not able to strike a goal until halftime.

Azkals head coach Scott Cooper, though, tried a different mix come the second half by bringing in substitutes Mike Ott, Martin Steuble, and Kevin Ray Hansen. The noted tactician also picked Jarvey Gayoso, who recently signed with Kaya FC-Iloilo.

But the Azkals could not find another breakthrough to end the match with a stalemate. -- BAP, GMA News