Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Male: Chris Greatwich scored the extra-time winner as the Philippines set-up an AFC Challenge Cup final with Palestine after edging out tournament hosts the Maldives 3-2 in a thrilling semi-final at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
The Philippines had led 2-1 at half-time as Phil Younghusband and Jerry Lucena netted either side of a strike from Maldives midfielder Mohamed Umair before defender Amani Aguinaldo turned Asadhulla Abdulla’s shot into his own net to level the scores after Ibrahim Fazeel missed a second half penalty for the hosts.
But after Palestine earlier beat Afghanistan 2-0, Greatwich’s close range finish a minute before half-time of the first extra period saw Thomas Dooley’s side secure a first AFC Challenge Cup final appearance and move within one win of a place at the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
After Ashraf Al Fawaghra had earlier scored twice to earn Palestine’s place in Friday’s final, both sides started the contest at a fast pace and it was the Philippines who had the first chance after eight minutes as Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Imran had to be alert to claw away Patrick Reichelt’s close range near post header.
But Imran was caught out after 18 minutes as Younghusband showed superb strength and determination to hold off Fazeel with his back to goal inside the penalty area before swiveling and beating the Maldives custodian low at his near post.
The Philippines defence, though, were caught out nine minutes before half-time as Ali Fasir’s chip cut out the Azkals backline and played in Umair, and with full-back Simone Rota unable to intercept, the strikers scuffed looping effort from the edge of the area just made it across the line before an out of position Muller was able to recover.
The Maldives, though, were back on level terms just three minutes as Amdhan Ali failed to deal with Daisuke Sato’s low near post cross and Lucena took full advantage to stab home from close range.
And the Philippines again had the ball in the net a minute before half-time, but Paul Mulders was adjudged to have fouled Mohamed Rasheed as the midfielder turned the defender on the edge of the penalty area before beating Imran with a scuffed effort which tricked across the line.
Muller was called into action just three minutes after the restart to beat away an effort from substitute Akram Abdull Gani, although it was the Philippines who should have added a third at the start of the second half as Younghusband failed to direct a free header from Greatwich’s cross on target.
And the Philippines were almost made to pay seven minutes before the hour mark as Aguinaldo felled Ali Ashfaq inside the area, but Muller guessed right to superbly save Fazeel’s penalty.
But the Maldives were back on level terms 13 minutes later as substitute Abdulla, who had only been on the field three minutes, applied a deft back heel touch to a left wing corner at the near post and Aguinaldo could only help the ball on its way past Muller.
Both sides had their chances to snatch victory in stoppage time as first Younghusband’s shot from an acute angle was headed off the goalline by Rilwan Waheed before Muller was at full stretch to deny Ashfaq.
The Maldives had the first chance of the opening extra period as Muller had to be alert to save low to his right from Abdulla after just three minutes before Imran produced a superb one-handed save from Younghusband’s turning shot 10 minutes later.
But Imran could do little a minute later as Younghusband’s cross was only cleared as far as Reichelt at the back post and his scuffed shot back across the face of goal was turned in from close range by Greatwich.
The Maldives pressed in the second extra-time, but were unable to find a way past a determined Philippines defence.