(UPDATED) MANILA, March 21 -- The Philippine Azkals' James Younghusband's penalty shot in the second half put his team ahead 1-0 against Myanmar's White Angels Monday. But Myanmar makes ii a 1-1 draw in the 90th minute.
Goalman Neil Ethridge, according to a sketchy report from TV coveror ABS-CBN kept Myanmar at bay from the Azkals who have reached the Group Stage of the Asian Football Challenge Cup by previously beating Mongolia in the elims and the quarterfinals.
The towering Ethridge expertly parried off seven attempts by the equally determined White Angels, and was largely responsible for a 0-0 first half.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, controlled the ball with a suffocating defense in the first half and used wingman Pai Soe to push off the Azkals.
The Azkals's German coach Hans Michael Weiss earlier told ABS-CBN that the Azkals will use a defense-minded and counterattacking ploy because the match is being played on Myanmar’s home turf.
Members of the starting XII Philippine squad are Rob Gier, Anton Del Rosario, Roel Gener, Ray Jonsson, Simon Greatwich, Alexander Borromeo, James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Neil Etheridge.
Fil-Spanish striker Angel Guirado Aldeguer made his debut game. (PNA)