SHAH ALAM, Malaysia – The Philippine Azkals routed Hong Kong, 6-1, on a rainy Saturday night at the EV Arena Elmira to advance to the finals of the Asia 7s Championship.
Mark Hartmann had a hat trick that enabled the Azkals to build a 5-0 advantage and never looked back in their semifinal encounter of the seven-a-side football tournament.
Arnel Amita had a brace including the match-ending goal in the comeback period to arrange a finals duel with reigning champion Japan on Sunday night at the EV Arena Elmira.
Japan defeated host country Malaysia, 3-0, in the semifinal round.
Hartmann has been scoring goals at a high rate, but credits the collective effort of the team in reaching this far in the tournament on its second edition.
“It’s great to score goals but it’s also with the players’ help. I was just in the right place at the right time. We’ve got so much talent in the team. We create a lot of chances, and I’m the one that’s there to put it in. It’s not just me. It’s the whole team,” said Hartmann.
The scoreline was similar to the Philippines’ first group stage match against Hong Kong, with Azkals coach Hamed Hajimahdi saying that they played a lot better in their rematch in the semifinal.
“We played against Hong Kong in the group stage. It was our first game. But we had plan not to force too much. Thankfully, we got the result. We’ve got tomorrow against Japan. They have great seven-a-side players,” said Hajimahdi.
Hajimehdi said the team will make sure to give Japan a good fight for the championship.
"Japan, they really bring seven-a-side players. They have a seven-a-side league. Out of 1,000 players, they brought 14 players to Malaysia (for the tournament)," said Hajimahdi.
"It’s very difficult for us but we are very good too. I think it’s going to be a close game. I think it’s at least 50-50,” Hajimahdi added.
Daisuke Sato actually opened scoring for the Azkals first minute into the first whistle, with Hartmann following it up five minutes later.
Hartmann knocked in his other goals in the 12th and 32nd minute, with Amita also contributing in the 22nd and closed the match in the 45th.
The Asia 7s is played in two 20-minute halves, and a comeback period where the trailing team will be given an opportunity to overcome the deficit, with the team with the lead only needing to score an additional goal to clinch the victory.
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