Azkals hurdle foes in Asia 7s

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, Philippines —The Philippine Azkals trumpeted their return to international football by sweeping its way to the quarterfinals of the Asia 7s Championship yesterday at the EV Arena here.

After hurdling their double-header opener against Hong Kong, 6-1, and tough host Malaysia, 4-3, the Azkals brought out the broom in Group B with 9-2 demolition of India.

Misagh Bahadoran (12th and 25th minutes and Patrick Grogg (16th and 23rd) each fired a brace to get it going against the winless Indians with Andres Aldeguer (34th), Ejjhome Clyde Rasonable (36th) and Marvin Jakes Bricenio (37th) joining the goal party.

As the top seeds of Group B, the Filipinos set up a Last-8 duel with Vietnam from Group A.

Co-captain Schrock expressed confidence the Azkals, especially after surviving a scuffle-marred showdown with fancied Malaysia Thursday night, can contend here.

“We have a solid team with a good mix of players like myself, Misagh and Marky (Hartmann) who are more experienced and younger players,” said Schrock.

For Shrock and Co., there’s a strong sense of responsibility in reviving and carrying the Azkals moniker, which has already been disused by the Philippine national team.