Azkals Beat Bangladesh, Advance to AFC Challenge Cup 2012
Filipino-Spanish booter Angel Aldeguer Guirado, one of the last-minute replacements for the injured Phil Younghusband, scored 2 goals while fellow striker Ian Araneta struck 1 to help the Azkals qualify for the tournament proper scheduled next year.
The top 2 from each group barge into the 2012 Challenge Cup: Palestine and Philippines, both undefeated from Group A, as well as India and Turkmenistan from Group B, and Maldives and Tajikistan from Group C. The top 2 from Group D are yet to be determined.
The Azkals are coming back home to Manila this Sunday. They have one year to prepare for the tournament proper next year where they will enter the game as the rookies in the region.