THE Philippine Men’s Football Team is looking forward to take three points against the visiting Yemen for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 UAE Qualifiers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
After two wins in their first two AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifiers matches, the Philippines look to claim their third straight win in Group F against second-place Yemen.
The Azkals started the group stage with a convincing 4-1 win over Nepal last March 28. Two goals from national team captain Phil Younghusband and a goal each from both Iain Ramsay and Javier Patiño gave the Azkals their first three points of the competition.
The Philippines continued on with a thrilling 4-3 win over Tajikistan at the Republican Central Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. A Patiño brace along with a Phil Younghusband and a Daisuke Sato goal ensured the country to remain on top of Group G ahead of the match against Yemen.
Yemen is not far behind. The Middle East side started the Qualifiers with a 2-1 win over Tajikistan last March, but figured in a scoreless draw against Nepal last June.
This will be the third meeting between the two teams having met twice in the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 in 2015. The Philippines won the first meeting in Qatar, 2-0, and Yemen won the second meeting in Manila, 1-0.
In the final round of the qualifiers, the top two teams in each group will advance to the final round which will be held in the United Arab Emirates on January 2019.
Azkals coach Thomas Dooley and skipper Phil Younghusband both said tonight’s game would be difficult for the Filipino side because of many injuries in the team as well as the inclusion of new players.
“This will be a big challenge for us but, we need to win this match whatever it takes and whatever the score,” Dooley added.
