Reichelt goal lifts Azkals over Singapore

MANILA, Philippines — Patrick Reichelt delivered the marginal strike as the Philippine Azkals came through with a 1-0 victory over Singapore to get their Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup campaign off to a positive start last night at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.

Reichelt, receiving a headed pass from James Younghusband off a throw-in, extricated from his defenders to slot it past Singaporean keeper Sunny Hassan at the 78th minute to help the Pinoy booters score the breakthrough after waves of fruitless attacks and eventually gift Swede coach Sven Goran Eriksson  a winning debut.

The victory gave the Azkals three points in Group B action on level with the Lions, idle defending champion Thailand, and Indonesia, which came back from a 0-1 deficit to beat Timor Leste, 3-1, over in Jakarta.

“The team was technically good and they showed fighting spirit so I’m very, very happy for the whole country,” said Eriksson, who came on board just three weeks before the tournament.

The home side controlled possession but couldn’t hit the mark against the compact defense of the Lions for the most part. But the Filipinos persisted and got the golden opportunity when Ceres Negros stalwart Reichelt found himself in good position and cashed in.

“There were some problems in the beginning so to win the opening game in Panaad and score the game winner in my home stadium is an amazing feeling,” said Reichelt.

Phl XI seeks to get a followup win on Nov. 17 when it faces Timor Leste in the latter’s designated hub in Kuala Lumpur.