SHAH ALAM, Malaysia – The Philippine Azkals conceded a late goal to Japan, 2-1, on Sunday and settled for a runner-up finish in the Asia 7s Championship at the EV Arena Elmina.
Miran Kabe capped his brace with the 51st-minute winner scored during the comeback period as he took advantage of an Azkals miscue at the back to hand Japan its second straight crown in the seven-a-side football tournament.
READ Azkals rout HK to arrange title duel with Japan in Asia 7s
Kabe’s winner dashed the valiant effort of Philippines goalkeeper Kenry Bacobo as the Azkals dropped their first game of the tournament after going unbeaten in five matches.
The match in the Asia 7s is played in two 20-minute halves, and a comeback period where the trailing team still getting an opportunity to overhaul the deficit until the squad with the lead scores another goal.
Bacobo gave up the opening goal to Kabe in the second minute on a header, but redeemed himself by saving all of Japan’s scoring chances in regulation and keeping the Philippines in the match.
Stephan Schrock finally gave the Philippines a goal, 1-1, in the 39th minute, enabling the Azkals to earn an opportunity to win the crown heading into the comeback period via sudden death only to give up the late goal.
Nevertheless, Azkals coach Hamad Hajimahdi was happy they made the Japan team earn the title victory after blowing out their opposition in the group stage.
“I’m proud of the guys. One mistake, one bad decision changed the game. That’s football,” said Hajimahdi, who still plays club football for Mendiola in the Philippines Football League.
“For me, for a first timer, we did a good job because we made history for Philippine football. Imagine Japan, they were crying because they were so happy,” he added.
The Azkals are playing their first international tournament in different shape and form after the moniker was dropped by the Philippine men’s national football team.
Silver lining for Azkals
Azkals veteran Misagh Bahadoran was also glad that his teammates got valuable international experience that they can use in their playing career, whether it’s seven-a-side or 11-a-side football.
“Japan is a very strong team. They are very famous in futsal and sevens, and giving them a good fight, it was so close. It’s a very good sign for the Philippines that we can do this,” said Bahadoran, who plays club football for One Taguig in the PFL.
“This is the first time we’ve played with the good players. One of the reasons we were happy is because the players from Tondo and everything coming together, and they have a chance to experience this kind of tournament.
"Even though they haven’t been called up to the national team, they come with us to experience the feeling of playing for the country which is very, very important,” said Bahadoran, who is also the chief operating officer of All-Star Properties, which together with the Villar Group is building the Villar City Stadium in Cavite.
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