Philippines bows to Kuwait, ends World Cup qualifying run

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines’ journey to the World Cup ended Thursday night.

The Philipines national football team failed to advance further in the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers with a 1-2 setback over Asian Powerhouse Kuwait at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

Kuwait’s Yousef Nasser equalized in 63rd minute and midfielder Waleed Ali doubled it in the 84th as the Kuwaitis move forward to the group stages of the Qualifiers.

It was the first loss of the Azkals in home soil since 2006, and the first time in the last seven home games that the Philippines conceded a goal even as keeper Neil Etheridge broke his impressive clean-sheet streak here.

But the Azkals, who woke up Philippine football, nonetheless gave a gallant stand.

“I want to congratulate my team for a fantastic effort,” said Azkals head coach Hans Michael Weiss. “We have a fantastic team. Give us a little more time.”

Although Kuwait was deduced to 10 men after Fahad Al Ansari sent off because of a nasty tackle from behind on striker Chieffy Caligdong, Nasser found a way to sneak one back in the 63rd minute.

Nasser also opened up the scoring for Al-Azraq in the first leg where Kuwait also won, 3-0.

Ali, meanwhile, scored in the 84th minute as Philippines’ Ray Jonson accidentally stirred the goal into our own net as he was going for the clear.

Midfielder Stephan Schrock gave the Philippines its first goal in the 48th minute to open the scoring, but no one from the Azkals since followed up.

It was Shrock’s maiden goal for the Philippine side since he made his debut with the Azkals this year.

Although the Kuwaitis got the lion’s share of possessions, attempts from Manny Ott, Angel Guirado, Phil Younghusband and Caligdong among others also kept the Azkals attacking side on pace.

The Azkals nearly doubled the score as an open Phil Younghusband came up with a weak attempt in the 51st minute followed by a foiled header by Rob Gier shortly after.