Azkals settle for scoreless draw with Afghans

HITHADHOO, Maldives—Its match preparations thrown off by a transportation snafu, the Philippines settled for a scoreless stalemate against a strong-starting Afghanistan side Tuesday night in Group B of the AFC Challenge Cup at Hithadhoo Stadium here.

The Azkals took a speedboat then transferred to a ferry in  rough waters just to reach the stadium which contributed to a late lineup change and an erratic start. They finally found their feet in the second half with little reward, leaving them with a point, enough for a share of second spot in the group.

Turkmenistan took early leadership with an emphatic 5-1 triumph over Laos in the first match of Group B.

The Azkals’ best chance fell on James Younghusband when he headed a Martin Steuble corner into the bar in first half stoppage time, before Daisuke Sato, Stephan Schrock and Steuble forced superb saves from Afghan keeper Mansur Faqiryar in a dominant second half.

Afghanistan captain Haroon Fakhrudin also headed against the crossbar in second half stoppage time.

“We had a couple more chances than them, but I’m sure they aren’t happy how they played, we aren’t happy how we played,” said coach Thomas Dooley.

“The first match in any tournament is the most important. We played badly in the first 15 or 20 minutes and we couldn’t connect with each other. I think the players were a bit nervous.”

“We would’ve been happier with three points but we’re very much in the tournament,” said team manager Dan Palami.

Kickoff was delayed for an hour after stormy weather delayed the boat travel of both teams from Herathera Island Resort to Gan Island.

As if losing Paul Mulders due to seasickness before the game wasn’t enough, coach Dooley was forced into an early substitution when Mulders’ replacement, Chris Greatwich, suffered an eye injury, paving the way for Jason de Jong to enter the game in the 21st minute.