THE Philippine Azkals pulled off a 1-0 victory over a gritty and stubborn Bangladesh side to complete a sweep of Group B in the 2018 Bangabandhu Gold Cup on Friday night at the Sylhet District Stadium.
The Philippine Azkals shook off a rabid home crowd of Bangladesh to make a lead built on Kenshiro Daniels’ first-half goal stand and avoid a late meltdown, thanks to big saves from goalkeeper Louie Mike Casas.
Riding on the crest of a 3-1 victory over Laos last Wednesday, the Azkals heads to the next round on October 9 unbeaten in Group B. They will face the No. 2 team from Group A, which could either be Palestine and Nepal.
Daniels drew the first blood as he connected with Misagh Bahadoran for a precarious 1-0 lead in the 24th, which the Azkals failed to double the whole game but managed to preserve through their defense.
The Bangladeshis threatened in the last 20 minutes but their header in the 70th-minute mark went off the mark and another shot was stopped by Casas in the 73rd.
Daniels was stretchered off the match after a bad collision with a Bangladeshi in the 84th a minute before Casas made another save.
Bangladesh settled for second place in Group B with a 1-1 record and will be facing the top seed of Group A in the knockout semifinals.
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