COMING up with goals early in the game allowed the Philippine Azkals to thwart Fiji, 3-2, in a friendly Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Football stadium.
Phil Younghusband led the way in the 29th in first half to hand the Azkals a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Then, Pika Minigeshi followed in the 52nd, before Kevin Ingreso struck in the 61st to give the Azkals a 3-0 edge.
Fiji scored late, knocking its first goal in the 74th minute through Nick O’Donnell, who slotted it home from an Ame Votoniu assist.
The visitors then scored their second point off a penalty kick off Roy Krishna in the 79th minute.
This friendly served as the Azkals’ preparation for their coming AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Tajikistan on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The Azkals dominated and scored in the 28th minute when Misagh Bahadoran won the penalty after being fouled by Kolinio Sivoki. Younghusband then kicked in his 49th international goal and gave the Azkals the 1-0 lead.
The Azkals created another chance in the 44th minute when Bahadoran passed it to Simone Rota.
Rota tied to curl it in, but his attempt did not find the back of the net. Minigeshi, coming off the bench for Iain Ramsay at the start of the second half, converted in the 52nd minute when he fired from the left flank.
In the 61st minute, Ingreso scored off a deflection.