SHAH ALAM, Malaysia – The Philippine Azkals walloped Vietnam, 10-3, on Friday night to reach the semifinals of the Asia 7s Championship at the EV Arena Elmina.
Mark Hartmann scored four goals in leading the Azkals to the win and a place in the semifinals, where they will face Hong Kong, a 2-0 winner over Brunei.
READ Azkals sweep group matches in Asia 7s
Defending champion Japan and host Malaysia will clash in the other semifinal. Japan defeated India, 10-1, while Malaysia beat Singapore, 5-1.
The Philippines defeated Hong Kong, 6-1, last Thursday in their group stage match ahead of the Saturday rematch in the semifinals. The Azkals also beat host Malaysia, 4-3, last Thursday, and routed India, 9-2, on Friday to sweep Group B.
Hartmann opened scoring in the quarterfinal match in the second, which was followed by a spectacular goal by Patrick Grogg one minute later after he beat three defenders to make it a 2-0 match.
Grogg actually scored two goals along with Arnel Amita. Former 11-a-side national team member Stephan Schrock also scored a goal.
But it was Hartmann who sparked the Azkals pullaway from Vietnam, with his second goal giving the Philippine side a 5-1 halftime advantage.
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