PH Azkals book semis seat in Suzuki Cup

Angel Guirado doubles PH lead. Photo from AFF Suzuki Cup website.

MANILA, Philippines — Philippines blanked Myanmar, 2-0, to advance to the semifinals of the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup Friday and bring the competition to home soil for the first time.

The last time the Philippines entered the semis was in 2010 but the Azkals still did not have a home turf to play on.

This year, they will have the full support of the Filipinos here in Manila at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Azkals also made history, defeating the Burmese — and in such convincing fashion — for the first time in 12 tries.

Angel Guirado coolly finished in injury time, doubling the lead of the Azkals, who will play a home-and-away semifinals series against the top seed in group B.

Phil Younghusband, who was on attack mode early on, scored the opening goal in the 46th minute on a left-footed strike.

Goalkeeper Ed Sacapaño, once again, had a superb performance and kept a clean slate for the second straight match in Thailand.

In the other game, Thailand defeated Vietnam, 3-1, to top the group A bracket and also advance to the semifinals of the tournament.

Philippines blanked Myanmar, 2-0, to advance to the semifinals of the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup Friday and bring the competition to home soil for the first time.

Philippines blanked Myanmar, 2-0, to advance to the semifinals of the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup Friday and bring the competition to home soil for the first time.

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