Philippine Azkals bow to Bahrain U23 booters again

 (l-r, standing) Alexander Borromeo, James Younghusband, Anton del Rosario, Angel Guirado, Neil Etheridge, Paul Mulders, (l-r kneeling) Mauel Ott, Stephen Markus Schrock, Emelio Caligdong, Phil Younghusband, Robert James Gier. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANAMA – The Philippine Azkals wrapped up their preparation for the second round World Cup qualifying duel against Kuwait with a 1-3 defeat to Bahrain’s Under-23 Olympic Team Monday night at the Al-Muharraq Club Stadium.

Facing a team that dealt them a 1-2 defeat two nights ago, Azkals coach Michael Weiss made three changes to the starting lineup, fielding strikers Angel Guirado and Phil Younghusband and defender Jason Sabio.

But it was Chieffy Caligdong who averted the shutout again with a well-taken 41st minute goal that cut the lead to 1-2 at halftime. Caligdong, who scored a sensational 30-yard effort in the first game against Bahrain, headed Manny Ott’s cross to the bottom corner.

Except for a few threatening balls to the area, though, the Azkals could not get a foothold on the game in the first half and looked vulnerable each time the Bahrainis raided the attacking third.

Goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano already made a brilliant save from point blank range Hesham Nayem but could do little to stop Ahmed Juma’s header that opened the scoring in the 36th minute.

Bahrain doubled the lead five minutes later with Nayem firing an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net against Sacapano.

Saad Alamer was the creator of the goal, drawing Sabio, Aly Borromeo and Anton del Rosario before releasing the ball to Nayem, who had plenty of time and space to fire past the second string Azkals keeper.

As the Azkals grew weary, Bahrain conjured a third goal in the third minute of injury time, this time, Sayed Alawi rounding out Sacapano after getting a pass from outside the box.

It was the Azkals’ final match before they take a one-hour flight to Kuwait tonight for Saturday night’s first leg duel with the Middle East powerhouse. The second leg is slated July 28 in Manila.

Close to 12,000 fans watched the match, the second of the event dubbed “The Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games” sponsored by AMA International University.