Are the Azkals for real?

CHEERED on by 13,000 screaming fans and playing on familiar ground the Philippine Azkals trounced Sri Lanka , 4-0, in a rain-soaked match at the Rizal Football Stadium to advance to the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait.

A few days ago the Azkals were held to a 1-1 tie in Sri Lanka.

Swashbuckling Chieffy Caligdog of the Philippine Air Force started the scoring spree by bouncing the ball off the left goalpost and into the net early in the first half. Later, Phil Younghusband eluded the Sri Lanka goalkeeper to slip another goal to push the team ahead, 2-0. And it was only the first half.

Just like the game in Sri Lanka the game was physical from the start until the end. Both Aly Borromeo and Stepahn Shrock were sent off after being issued their second Yellow Cards.

In the second half, Angel Aldeguer Guirado also eluded the over-eager Sri Lanka goal keeper, who challenged his attacker too early, to hike the score to 3-0 for the Philippines. Phil Younghusband finalized the score at 4-0, when he drove the ball just below the crossbar from a penalty kick.