Phil Younghusband. Phoot by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With the match tied at 1-all, Phil Younghusband knew he was on the cusp of making history as he was about to take the penalty kick in the 90th minute.
The Azkals were mere minutes away from booking their first ever slot to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and he was within reach of his 50th international goal which would further cement his legacy as the national team’s best scorer.
But Younghusband only wanted one thing that night.
.@PhilYHusband: When they scored their first goal, I think it spurred us to play our best football. #AFCAsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/s7EQsj0Vm9
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) March 27, 2018
The veteran striker sent the ball straight to the back of the net, past Tajik goalkeeper Mahkamov Abduaziz to lift the Azkals to a 2-1 clincher over Tajikistan Tuesday night and seal the trip to continental showpiece in January in UAE.
READ: History made as PH Azkals advance to 2019 AFC Asian Cup after beating Tajiks
“For me, the feeling of going to the Asian Cup, that’s what matters to me,” said Younghusband.
Not that he has any problem hitting two birds with one goal.
“Like I said, if (the 50th international goal) came from this game or 10 games’ time, that wasn’t on my mind. It was about getting the win. But to have the feeling at the same time makes it more special,” he said.
It was a tough match for the Philippines knowing that even a draw would propel it to the next round.
READ: Result of Azkals match vs Tajikistan won’t decide Dooley’s fate
However, Nazarov Akhtam’s penalty conversion at the 62nd minute lit a fire under the Azkals as they refused to let the golden chance slip away.
“It’s a difficult game when you know you don’t need to win the game. We were very cautious, as cautious as possible. But when they scored their first goal, I think that spurred us to play our best football because we knew we needed to attack and we needed to score,” said Younghusband.
Kevin Ingreso, who gave up that costly foul inside the box, redeemed himself with the game-tying header in the 73rd minute before Younghusband’s clincher in the 90th minute.
“I think it showed the spirit of the Filipino people, the fighting spirit. Even when we’re down, we knew we can bounce back and I think we showed and typified it today,”said Younghusband.
.@PhilYHusband hopes that this #AFCAsianCup2019 berth spurs a resurgence for Philippine football. pic.twitter.com/XaYlaOBvnE
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) March 27, 2018
The historic triumph is like a culmination of all the hardwork of the past and present Azkals’ have put in to help the Philippines make a splash in international football.
And Younghusband is just happy to be in the middle of it.
“I’m just happy to be part of it. It cements everyone’s legacy, everyone who’s been a part of this,” he said. “I just feel very blessed that I get to play the sport I love and enjoy it in a country I love.”
Younghusband is hopeful that this conquest could renew the interest of Filipinos in football, as the Azkals are set to test their mettle against the best of the best in Asia.
“Hopefully, it’s the catalyst for more growth in Philippine football. In 2010, we got a lot of support from the private industry and hopefully, this moment can spur a resurgence in Philippine football, get people to talk about Philippine football again.”