Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kathmandu: Phil Younghusband scored a brace as the Philippines pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the AFC Challenge Cup with a convincing 2-0 win over 2008 champions India in their penultimate Group B match played at the Dashrath Stadium on Sunday.
The win kept alive the Azkals hopes of a place in the final four while 2011 SAFF Champions India became the second side out of the reckoning following 2012 AFC Challenge Cup hosts Nepal.
India started the match promisingly with midfielder Reisangmi Vashum firing a shot just inches above the crossbar in the fifth minute but that early effort was the only significant move the Indians had throughout the first half.
Younghusband, whose stoppage-time winner over Mongolia in the playoff ensured the Philippines participation in the qualifying campaign, had three great chances to score in the first half and he converted one of them.
The former Chelsea reserve striker showed his skills inside the box after receiving a sublime cross from the flank by fullback Jason Sabio and coolly directed the ball past India keeper Karanjit Singh as the Philippines took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.
The remaining two chances came to him in the 36th and 43rd minute but his first effort sailed over the bar while the second went a whisker the wrong side of the post.
India played with a greater sense of urgency in the second half but poor play from the midfielders meant that skipper and star striker Sunil Chettri remained without adequate supply throughout the match.
India had a sight on goal in the 67th minute but defender Raju Eknath's header was well wide after he managed to connect with Syed Nabi's free-kick.
Man of the match Younghusband scored his brace and put the match beyond India's reach after a brilliant one-two with his brother James Younghusband before finding the top corner in the 74th minute that left Karanjit rooted to the spot.
Chettri got a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute but he fired the ball well wide from the 18-yard box after Sushil Singh fed the unmarked striker with Azkals goalie nowhere in sight.
Missing injured attacker Jeje Lalpekhula, who was the top scorer in the Blue Tigers' qualifying campaign, India were never a threat to the Azkals and will now face DPR Korea, who booked their place in the final four after defeating Tajikistan 2-0, with nothing but pride to play for, while the Philippines will be hoping Younghusband maintains his prolific form when they face the Tajiks in a battle to see who joins the defending champions in the next round.