Howling success: Amazing Azkals maul Bangladeshis, make final

RANGOON – Once again, the Azkals made history, and made the Philippines proud.

Finally playing the way they should, the Azkals scored goals one after the other yesterday through the heroics of Ian Araneta and Fil-Spanish recruit Angel Guirado in a 3-0 victory over Bangladesh at the close of the AFC Challenge Cup group stage here.

The Azkals sang “Ole! Ole! Ole!” inside the dressing room, bouncing up and down, arms linked to each other as they celebrated their biggest achievement so far as team.

Araneta broke the ice with a short flick of his left foot in the 42nd minute before Guirado, who flew all the way from Spain to be part of the team, struck twice.

Guirado, who moves so well for a 6-foot-2, scored on a header, following a perfect corner kick by James Younghusband in the 54th minute for a 2-0 advantage.

It must have broken the backs of the players from Bangladesh because Guirado’s second goal for the match, in the 80th minute, looked so much easier than it should.

The Azkals thus sailed into the main tournament of the 2012 Challenge Cup where eight teams will vie. So far, already in are the Philippines, Palestine, Tajikistan, Maldives, Turkmenistan and India.

Last year, the Azkals reached the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup. It was also a first, and part of that ride was a historic 2-0 win over Vietnam, a country the Philippines is not supposed to beat in soccer.

“We made history again. It’s the first time the Philippines made it to the final group of the AFC,” said team manager Dan Palami, who’s never been happier before.

Amid all the celebration, Palami promised a $1,000 bonus for all the players and coaches, from his own pocket, and another $500 each for everyone, from a “friend” in Manila.

The celebration just got wilder. There was loud music inside the dugout, and you can hardly hear the person beside you.

When the referee blew the final whistle, the Azkals celebrated wildly in the pitch, and as they gave Palami the traditional victory ride, the team manager pumped his right fist into the air.

Coach Michael Weiss lifted his arms, with clenched fists, and faced the sun. The players and his fellow coaches, Roroy Pinero and Diding Cabalida and Edzel Bracamonte, came up to him, and hugged him.

The Azkals, after two successive draws against Myanmar and Palestine over the last four days, finally nailed a victory here, the one that really mattered.

From up in the stands, a small Filipino contingent waved tiny flags, and cheered the players on.

“As we go to the AFC, we can have all the players we want in this team. This is a good win as we head to the World Cup qualifiers (in June),” he added.

 The 26-year-old Guirado, who’s so clever with his feet, evaded a couple of defenders from the top, and once inside the penalty launched a shot past opposing goalie Mamun Khan.

Each time the Azkals scored, they whooped it up like they never did before.

Bangladesh had its chance, perhaps chances, but none came as close as the Azkals had.

“This was the best match. We withstood the pressure and put the game plan to reality. I’m very happy. Congratulations to the team. Congratulations to the Philippines,” said Weiss.

The coaching staff stuck to Araneta even if the 29-year-old striker seemed to be on a slump. But with his opening goal, he erased all doubts that he remains a striker.

He came close to a second goal in the 52nd minute after a perfect pass from James Younghusband, and again in the 63rd when his short header off a pass by Guirado hit the crossbar.

“I was confused on what I should do. If I should give him another chance or not,” said Weiss of Araneta.

He was glad he did.

“We always knew that Ian had it in him. The coaches knew that even if he was on a slump he would be able to recover one of these days. This is the day,” said Palami.

When he scored the goal, Araneta ran toward the bench and jumped into the waiting arms of Filipino goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano.

But it was Guirado who sealed the victory for the Azkals.

He’s the angel from heaven.