THE Philippine Azkals national men’s football lost to Tajikistan 2-0 last Tuesday in the semifinals of the 2018 Bangabandhu Cup at the Cox’s Bazar Stadium in Bangladesh.
The Azkals earlier won over Laos and host Bangladesh in Group B to reach the semis.
The Tajiks dominated the game early and scored when Komron Tursonov was left open to deliver a goal off an assist from Muxammadzoni Raximov in the 32nd minute.
Axtam Nazarov made another goal during the six-minute added time to earn the Tajiks a finals berth.
Earlier, Azkals keeper Louie Casas led the team’s defense with four crucial saves.
The Philippines were able to get their offense going, with Kenshiro Daniels’ header off a cross from Hikaru Minegishi almost giving the Filipinos a point.
But Daniels’ attempt in the 33rd minute went wide.
In the 66th minute, Casas was accidentally kneed by Raximov and this led an eight-minute stoppage in the play as he got treatment for a wound.
