The Philippine Azkals gear up for a tasty affair against Tajikistan in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup 2018 Semifinals

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After two exciting games in the group stages, the Philippine Azkals made it through to the knock out rounds with a clean slate of two wins and are now headed to a cagey affair against well-known opponents Tajikistan who were eliminated by the Philippines in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers. 

Looking for revenge against the Azkals, Tajikistan finished second in group A as they tasted defeat at the hands of Palestine, however, this shouldn’t be a factor the Azkals should be looking at as a determined foe always come up with a trick up his sleeves to win the match.

Looking into the head-to-head comparison between the two, the Philippines has scored three goals in their first game against Laos and only conceded one whilst Tajikistan kept a clean sheet and scored two goals to bag their first win against Nepal. In terms of defensive organization, it would seem the two are equally-matched however, on paper, the Philippines have a slight edge based on the goal difference as well as the win-loss-draw column.

Going back to the previous match-ups between the Philippines and Tajikistan, the Azkals have been on top over the last three meetings. Most recently, Tajikistan fell victim to the Azkals in their AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers at the last minute courtesy of a penalty goal from Phil Younghusband who also marked his 50th international goal for the country.

Though the Philippines were always on top of Tajikistan, all of their matches were always close. Back in 2008, Philippines and Tajikistan settled for a draw in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. Then they faced each other again in 2012 during the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup group stages where the Azkals won two goals to one.

Their most recent meetings were the qualifiers for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The Philippines won on two occasions, both of them needing a late drama. Back on June 14, 2017, the Azkals visited the Tajiks in Dushanbe where they survived a late barrage from the hosts.

James Younghusband put the visitors up front on the 28th minute while Javier Patino scored his brace to put the Azkals up by three goals. Then on the 57th minute, Parvizdzhon Umarbaev scored from the spot followed by a goal from Dilsod Vasijev on the 61st minute. Daisuke Sato then scored the insurance goal for the Azkals on the 79th minute before going conceding a late goal on the 90th minute from Tajikistan’s Manuchekhr Dzhalilov.

Fortunate enough for the Azkals, they went home with all three points. Vowed to make a revenge away from home, Tajikistan came in the Philippines on March 27th of this year to seal their spot for Dubai next year. Tajikistan went ahead on the 66th minute through a penalty kick from Akhtam Nazarov which brought a scare to the home fans.

Not wanting to give up easily, the Azkals scored on the counter courtesy of a lovely cross from Iain Ramsay which was met by a lovely header from Kevin Ingreso to level things up on the 75th minute before they went all out to get the winning goal from a penalty kick courtesy by Phil Younghusband.

Come game-time in Bangladesh, the Philippines will come in with a totally different look from the ones Tajikistan have met back in March. They will be looking for a chance to break their cold streak against the Azkals this time around but they have their work cut out for them.

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