Azkals lost for the second straight game against the Bahrain Under-23 Olympic team, 3-1, last Monday at the Muharraq Club Stadium.
The Azkals played well early in the game, showcasing their dribbling skills and speed. But the Bahrain team struck first, as Ahmed Juma’a scored on a header of a corner kick.
Phil Younghusband had a good scoring opportunity right in front of the goal but he was smothered by the Bahrain defense. Younghusband was down on the pitch for quite some time and had to be helped off the field.
Younghusband would be able to return, much to the delight of the Filipino community watching the game. But Bahrain would once again score, with Hisham Mansoor slotting the ball into the net for a 2-0 score.
Two minutes later, Chieffy Caligdong gave the Azkals their only goal of the match and allowed the Azkals to come close, 1-2, coming in to the half.
The Azkals came out with more energy in the second half as they aimed to equalize.
The game however began to get more physical, and players from both sides received yellow cards due to increased aggressiveness.
Five minutes before the match ended, Bahrain once again attacked and Sayed Dhiya Saeed scored the 3rd goal for his team.
Despite losing both games, the Azkals were happy to achieve their goal of adjusting to the intense heat in the Middle East and were also able to scout the style of play of their opponents.
"Magandang conditioning, naka-adjust kami agad sa weather," said Caligdong, who scored both of the Azkals' goals in Bahrain. "Maganda sa team para sa preparation against Kuwait."”
The Azkals will face Kuwait in the 1st leg of their 2nd round World Cup Qualifier on July 23.
