ALLAN THE MAN

The Azkals hope to ride on the momentum of their stirring wins over Vietnam and Myammar when they take on Singapore in the first-ever Suzuki Cup match in Manila on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Singapore arranged a two-leg duel with the Azkals after orchestrating a 4-3 comeback win over Laos on the same night at the Sham Alam Stadium in Malaysia.

Phil Younghusband had been uncharacteristically quiet for most of the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup.

In the Philippine national men’s football team’s final group match against Myanmar, the Azkals star striker finally broke his silence.

Younghusband scored his first goal of the tournament at the 46th minute, as the Azkals booked a 2-0 victory for a berth in the semifinals of the tournament for the second straight time.

Host Thailand gave the Philippine national men’s football team a rude welcome to open the ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup, outclassing the Azkals, 2-1, in their match Saturday at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The War Elephants drew first blood, literally, in the match after Azkals ace striker Phil Younghusband suffered a cut over his left eye in the early minutes. The Philippines’ top scorer was hardly a factor in the first half before being subbed out at the break.