AFC heartbreak: Palestine proves too tough for Azkals

MALE, Maldives—Breaking new ground in a tournament they were so determined to win, the Philippine Azkals felt it was finally their time.

Facing an inspired Palestine side, however, the Azkals came to grief, after a heartbreaking 0-1 loss in the finals of the AFC Challenge Cup Saturday night at National Stadium here.

A sublime free kick from Ashraf Alfahawaghra in the 57th minute turned out to be the title-clincher for a Palestine side that lifted the spirits of a nation that for so long has been in political strife.

The Azkals spurned a couple of good chances, the best one coming from Phil Younghusband late in the first half when the striker, picking up a Stephan Schrock pass, turned and skied his effort with only Palestine keeper Ramzi Saleh to beat.

The match punctuated what was a magical tournament for the Palestinians, who did not concede a single goal in five matches here on their way to clinching a spot in the AFC Asian Cup in Australia next year.

As the Palestineans whooped it up, the Azkals were left in the depths of despair as they waited to pick up their runners-up medal on the podium.

A pall of gloom descended on a quiet Philippines changing room. Hours later, young defender Amani Aguinaldo was still trying to come to terms over the loss, inconsolable event after the team gathered for a postmatch function with Filipino supporters.

“It’s one of the hard things to take because everything seemed perfect for us to win it this time,” said said skipper Rob Gier.

“The preparation was spot-on, the team spirit was probably as good as it’s ever been. We slowly progressed. It looked like we were peaking at the right time. Two penalty saves (by Roland Muller). Things like that, you just kind of think that everything was going in your favor.”

On their way to the finals, the Azkals notched some milestones in this tournament with a first victory over Laos and Maldives. It was also the first time they reached the final of a tournament.