Phl Azkals need to win big versus Cambodia

Game tomorrow (Rizal Memorial Football Stadium)

7:30 p.m. – Philippines vs Cambodia

MANILA, Philippines - Following the pullout of Brunei Darussalam, the remaining teams – host Philippines, Turkmenistan and Cambodia – have been awarded three points each for the “forfeited” matches of the Sultanate in the AFC Challenge Cup Group E qualifiers that kicked off yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Turkmenistan walloped Cambodia in the lone match, 7-0, to seize the lead with six points on two victories, while the Azkals watched from the sidelines. 

Skipper Vladimir Baymarov anchored the searing Turkmen’s assault with a brace (23’ and 36’) against the overmatched Cambodians while teammates Amanov Arslanmyrat (7’), Berdy Shamuradov (74’) Abylov Gunanch (81’), Batyrov Gurbangeldi (87’) took turns slamming it to the back of the net. 

Compounding Cambodia’s woes was the own goal by defender Om Travrak (41’).

“7-0 is a good result. We didn’t have good combination in the second half but for the next game, we’ll do better preparations,” said Turkmenistan coach Hojageldiyev Yazgalu, whose wards’ winning scoreline puts pressure on the Azkals to go for high scores in their next match, tomorrow against Cambodia.

Turkmenistan, which now carries a goal difference of 10, will have a four-day break before seeing action again, versus the Azkals on Tuesday, in a match that could well decide the group winner.

Per the team standings of Group E posted on the official website of the Asian Football Confederation even before action commenced, the Azkals, the Turkmen and the Cambodians already carry three points each for “winning” their scheduled matches against absentee Brunei. The Bruneians, who withdrew due to “unavoidable circumstances,” finished with zero points in the Group E table.

“It looks like the AFC is seeing the withdrawal as forfeiture so the opponents of Brunei – the Philippines, Turkmenistan and Cambodia – were given three points,” Philippine Football Federation general secretary Ed Gastanes told The STAR.

The PFF has yet to receive any formal communication from the AFC regarding this but Gastanes said that won’t be necessary. “Those are official results on the AFC’s official website so there’s no need to communicate to anyone.”

Brunei’s last-minute withdrawal had raised concerns on how the computation of the top two runners-up in the entire qualification process will go considering that one of the five groups only has three teams. The two best runners-up among all the qualifying meets’ participants will join the five group winners into the main tournament in Maldives next year.

“Now, the chances are the same as before. It’s like it’s been restored to a four-team group. We’re previously concerned that Group E is reduced to three participating members,” said Gastanes.

Turmenistan, the 2012 second-placers, and Cambodia mixed it up yesterday gunning for the solo lead while the Azkals watched from the sidelines. The Azkals will take on Cambodia tomorrow night seeking another full point.

It wasn’t immediately known if Brunei’s sudden pullout will merit sanction from the Asian body.