The Philippine Azkals National Men’s Football Team lost 1-3 to the National Football Team of Bahrain on October 7 as part of the Azkals’ campaign for the Suzuki Cup that the country will host this coming November.
The Azkals’ lone goal happened early in the second half courtesy of Mike Ott, enough to keep fans’ hspirits alive despite being down 1-2 care of Bahrain’s Aadem Khabir.
But all hopes were dashed when goalkeeper Patrick Deyto failed to stop Marzooq Alromaihi with only less than 4 minutes left in the game.
Another heartbreak to the Azkals’ fans: seeing Misagh Bahadoran limping during the second half, after a player from Bahrain hit his leg. Bahadoran had to be assisted off the field by physiotherapist Walfred “Wally” Javier, and another member of the team’s staff. Fitch Arboleda immediately subbed for Bahadoran.
One female fan (a student in her school uniform) couldn’t help but shout from the stands and make a plea. “Wally! Alagaan mo si ‘Baby!’”
Fitness Coach Joseph Malinay confirmed that Bahadoran was in pain. “He complained of pain in the hip and the back of his thigh when he walked, as he stepped on this left foot.” Malinay also said that Bahadoran is due for an MRI on Saturday, October 8, “to know the extent of the injury.”
Chieffy Caligdong, former Azkals’ team captain and now assistant coach of the team, said that regrouping is on top of their agenda. “It was a good game but with a bad result,” Caligdong said candidly.
The Azkals face the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (current FIFA ranking: 118) in a friendly match on the evening of October 10,Monday, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Update: Misagh Bahadoran won’t play in tomorrow’s game against DPRK.
Photos by Shobe Binibini.
