The Philippine Azkals dumped the visiting Sri Lanka Red Braves last Sunday, 4-0, in last Sunday’s action of the first round of World Cup qualifiers around Asia.
The big win of the Azkals was not the only game that saw several goals scored last weekend.
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Over in Taipei, Malaysia lost to host Taiwan, 3-2, but advanced to the second round against Singapore by virtue of having more away goals.
Malaysia won the first leg 2-1 in Kuala Lumpur and despite its loss in the second leg, having scored two goals in the home field of Taiwan, the team advanced.
Vietnam probably had the lightest assignment with a 7-1 hammering of Macau, but faces a daunting task in the second round as it faces Qatar.
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Laos, another Southeast Asian neighbor, also moved into the second round at the expense of Cambodia via an 8-6 aggregate capped by two extra-time goals in last weekend’s match.
Laos will have a tough assignment in the next round as it faces China.
Bangladesh also moved on with a 3-0 aggregate over Pakistan after Sunday’s match finished 0-0. It will face Lebanon in the second round.
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Myanmar pulled past Mongolia, 2-1, on aggregate and will play Oman on the next stage.
Palestine held Afghanistan to a 1-1 draw and went through via a 3-1 aggregate and will meet Thailand next.
Another team to pull through is Nepal, which spanked minnows Timor Leste, 5-0, last Sunday for a 7-1 aggregate.
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There is still a very long road to the World Cup in Brazil this 2014 for these Asian teams.
The eight teams that advanced will join the 22 higher ranked squads for home and away matches where the winners will advance to stage three joining powerhouse teams Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Bahrain, and Australia.
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While there is still a long way to go, let us not waver on our support for the Azkals and continue to hope for the better.
If the Azkals lose against Kuwait, which is more probable than our 159th ranked team winning over the 102nd ranked squad from the Middle East, let us not drop them like an unfashionable shirt.
There is so much to be done for Philippine football and these can only be done if we all do our share.
The other day, I got a friend request over Facebook from the Minglanilla FC. Wow! My town now has its own football club.
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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to Maricar ‘Cay’ Villanueva-de Quiroz, Lt. Cdr. Ervin Mundo, Tammy Martinez, and Ira Velasquez, who all turned a year older last Monday.
The same goes to yesterday’s celebrants like Atty. Eddie Barrita, coach Alex de la Torre, Junie Cimafranca, Lea Estimo, Jay Aldeguer, and Eleanore Rizada-Tomaneng.
Today’s greetings go to my cousin Amelia Lapaz-Quisaot, my former teacher Norma Ortega-Tijap, Kaye Alfafara, and Wilson Ramos.
More power to all of you! – THE FREEMAN