The Philippine Azkals national men’s football team is facing a similar situation that they had against the Palestine Knights when they clash at 12 noon Tuesday in their last game of the third round of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup qualification in Ulaanbaatar.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides. During their last encounter eight years ago, the Palestinians beat the Azkals, 1-0, in the final round of Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in Maldives.
That time, Palestine made history by earning a ticket to the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.
Azkals’ coach Thomas Dooley said they will have to be careful with the Palestinians because their chances of qualification is again at stake.
“They (team) are energetic and in a good mood and we want to play football. But we have to be careful on how we are to handle this team. There are different ways we can do this and hopefully, it works out,” said Dooley of the Palestinians, who were also spirited the last time around.
Statistically, Palestine has a good goalscoring record after it took the lead of Group B following its 5-0 rout of Yemen on Saturday for a second straight triumph. They are already assured of a seat in the Asian Cup whatever the result of their game with the Azkals.
The Azkals are in a do-or-die-situation, with a draw or loss to Palestine giving Yemen a chance to qualify.
Yemen has game with Mongolia at 5 p.m.
The Palestine and the Philippines both tried to make it to the Asian Cup main round in 2019 and did not advance.
This time, the Azkals are hardpressed to join the Palestians in the Asian Cup and can do so with a win.