Mark Hartmann scores 4 goals in Azkals win over Papua New Guinea

MANILA, Philippines—Fil-British midfielder Mark Hartmann scored four goals and the Philippine Azkals hammered out a 5-0 shutout over Papua New Guinea in a friendly at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium Sunday night.

Hartmann wasted little time as he started his scoring binge in the 2nd minute before doubling the Philippines’ lead not long after in the 10th minute.

“So happy for me and for the team. Just one of those days where the ball fell for me,” Hartmann said.

He scored two more with the last one late in the first half from outside the box. Phil Younghusband was the other Filipino player who scored when he struck one in the 42nd minute.

The Philippines, which will be competing in the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup next month in Hanoi, Vietnam, was supposed to play Malaysia in a friendly last Saturday before the game got canceled.

PNG too had a scheduled friendly with Timor Leste and their match was also canceled, paving the way for both teams to cross paths.

PNG played a better second half and had several chances to break into the scoring column but PH goalkeeper Patrick Deyto had a couple of timely saves to keep the clean sheet.