Bocaue, Bulacan (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine Azkals were outclassed by Uzbekistan, 5-1, in their World Cup Qualifying fixture on Tuesday (September 8) at the Philippine Sports Stadium.
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It only took 45 seconds for the Uzbeks to get on the scoreboard and set the tone for the match.
Odil Akhmedov slotted in a low shot just under keeper Neil Etheridge early on, and the Philippines just couldn’t recover from there.
The Uzbeks slotted in two more goals in the first half through Sardor Rashidov and Igor Sergeev to give their side a 3-0 advantage heading into the break.
The Azkals had everything to do in the second half and tried to chase a goal. Unfortunately for them, they leaked in another goal after Sergeev headed in a corner in the 65th minute.
The Philippines took one back just five minutes later, after substitute Stephan Schrock lofted a free kick above the keeper and into the net.
The Filipinos poured in wave after wave of attack, but an errant ball at the back was picked up by Rashidov, who curled in a ball past the keeper to win the game 5-1.
The result sees the Philippines drop its first match in Group H in World Cup Qualifiers and fall to third place.
