James Younghusband’s lone goal propels Azkals to victory
Thanks to a 32nd minute header by James Younghusband, the Philippines defeated a much-improved Hong Kong XI, 1-0, in a FIFA-sanctioned friendly match on Wednesday night at the Mong Kong Stadium.

The win marks the Philippines’ first triumph against Hong Kong, as their last meeting in the 2012 Long Teng Cup ended in a 3-3 draw.

The hard rain hindered both squads from performing at their best, with players from Hong Kong and the Philippines slipping throughout the game.

Chan Sui Ki, Hong Kong’s prime forward, had another attempt broke through the right wing in the 8th minute but Jeffrey Christiaens managed to halt his momentum, forcing Sui Ki to lose possession just at the edge of the pitch.

Hong Kong’s midfielders laid pressure on the Philippines’ back four, forcing them to commit a number of errant passes.

Stephan Schrock had a shot on goal in the 18th minutes with the outside of his foot, but Yapp Hung Fai nervously pushed the ball out of play after initially spilling his save. Carli De Murga almost opened the scoring for the Philippines but just wasn’t able to get a touch on the ball from a wonderful cross on the left flank from Schrock.

McKee and Sui Ki had key attempts to register their names in the score sheet but just narrowly missed with their headers on both occasions.

The Philippines started a glorious passage of play on the left which enabled Schrock to blaze through the middle. His cross from the left was deflected by a defender.Hong Kong’s goalkeeper committed the biggest mistake of the half by hesitating to catch the ball from the deflection. James Younghusband to use his height advantage to strategically place the ball using his head in the far left corner of the post.

Hong Kong captain Chang Wai Ho was almost booked just before half time after pushing Schrock away during a run, hurting the latter’s left shoulder in the process.
The home side had a number of good attempts just before half time but the Azkals’ defense held on until the half time whistle.

Misagh Bahadoran, who scored a goal in Global F.C.’s win over Warriors F.C. in the 2013 RHB Singapore Cup, got himself booked immediately after the start of the second half.

Etheridge once again proved why he plays in the top flight of English football after saving Chan Siu Ki’s penalty in the 66th minute which came from a tenacious tackle by Juan Luis Guirado inside the box.

Despite looking like the better squad, Hong Kong seemed to lack the quality in the final touch with all of their attempts ending in bitter disappointment. Scoring chances for the Philippines, on the other hand, were scarce. James Younghusband unleashed a piercing cross on the right wing but was easily cleared by one of the opposing side’s defenders. In the 78th minute, Guirado attempted a bicycle kick which just landed on top of the net.

Etheridge kept the Philippines on top with a quick reaction after the ball from a corner kick almost trickled inside the post. Hong Kong had three golden opportunities in injury time but Etheridge once again flaunted his goalkeeping skills with three world-class saves.

Schrock almost added another goal for the Philippines in the 93rd minutes but wildly off target.