The Philippine Azkals held off a late East Timor run to take a 3-2 win in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Malaysia on Saturday night.
Up 3-0 midway through the second half, the Azkals almost blew the lead as two goals in just two minutes inched East Timor closer to an upset in Malaysia.
Phil Younghusband scored his 52nd international goal with his opening strike in the 27th minute.
Martin Steuble doubled the Azkals’ lead in the 33rd minute, while Carlie De Murga struck a 68th minute goal to further stretch their lead.
However, Nataniel Reis pulled one back for East Timor in the 73rd minute with a penalty, and Joao Pedro Freitas scored another goal in the 75th minute that drew the team to within one before the Azkals held on.
The Azkals will return to the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City to take on Thailand, which downed Indonesia, 4-2, on Wednesday night.
