ALLAN THE MAN

The Philippine national football team, the Azkals, jumped to the top of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Group B table temporarily, after besting Laos 2-0, Thursday at the Addu Football Stadium in Addu City, Maldives. It was the first time in the history of the Azkals that they've beaten the Laos national side.
The Azkals started the game better than their last assignment versus Afghanistan, perhaps due to a better boat ride to the stadium. Phil Younghusband and Rob Gier were back in the Starting XI after serving out their suspensions. Roland Muller replaced Neil Etheridge in goal, as Etheridge came off the last game injured.

In the following Group B game, Afghanistan scored 3 to Turkmenistan’s 1. Afghanistan and the Philippines now have 4 points each, followed by Turkmenistan with 3 points, and Laos with 0 points.

The Azkals will only need to draw Turkmenistan to advance to the next stage of the Challenge Cup. Three of Turkmenistan’s players will be unable to play in the game versus the Philippines, including their 2 centerbacks and their main goalkeeper. Their goalkeeper was also their captain in their game versus Afghanistan. 

The game versus Turkmenistan will be held at the National Stadium in Male on Saturday, kickoff is at 7pm Manila time.