CAPAS, Tarlac – Bjorn Kristensen delivered a brace, the second goal enabling the Philippines to force a 2-2 draw over Tajikistan in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers on Tuesday night at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
Kristensen knocked in the game-tying goal in the 79th minute, enough for the Philippines to gain a favorable result over Tajikistan, considered as the favorites Group A of the final round of the qualifiers due to their superior No. 104 rank in the world.
The Philippines stayed on top of Group A with four points after two matches due to superior goal difference over Tajikistan. PMNT previously defeated Maldives, 4-1, last March 25, also held at New Clark City.
The top team at the end of six matches will book a seat in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
The Philippines was able to salvage a point in the match after seeing its 1-0 lead slip away with two goals that resulted from miscues on defense.
Ironically, it was also a misplay by Tajikistan that led to the draw.
Bundesliga campaigner Gerrit Holtmann made his home debut in a Philippines uniform, one of the main sidebars of PMNT’s key match against Tajikistan.
But it was Kristensen, one of the heroes of the Philippines’ campaign in last year’s ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, who once again made the headlines for this match.
A goal kick by Philippines goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza bounced off Tajikistan midfielder Olimzoda Fathullo and landed in front of Kristensen, who scored on a straight away shot sending the 10,854 fans who made the trip to the main stadium for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in a frenzy.
Kristensen scored the opening goal on a rebound when Holtmann’s free kick bounced off the post in the 28th minute.
The Philippines could have also taken the win if not for the two goals of Tajikistan that happened in succession.
Two minutes after Kristensen’s first goal, Shervoni Mabatshoev’s shot slipped between the legs of Mendoza for a 1-1 tie. A foul by Jesper Nyholm to Ehson Panshanbe just inside the edge of the box led to a penalty kick by Parvizdzhon Umarbaev in the 42nd.
Cuadrat era opens on a positive note for PMNT
The Philippines also got a draw in the first game of Carles Cuadrat as Philippines head coach after taking the spot of Albert Capellas.
“They did their best to get the result. Before the game, we knew that it’s going to be a difficult game. But I think the players put a lot of heart in the game. They did a good effort,” said Cuadrat.
“They didn’t allow us to get the three points but still, we have one and we will try to win the competition and keep going,” said Cuadrat.
Tajikistan coach Shekiladze Gela rued the mistakes his team made including conceding the final goal.
“But in international (match), any mistake really costs a lot,” said Gela.
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