Azkals win against Maldives, to face Palestine in Challenge Cup finals

The Philippine Azkals won in the semifinal match of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup against host Maldives early Wednesday morning with a score of 3-2.

The victory means a lot to the team and to the country as it marks the first time that the Philippine national men's football team has made it to the finals of the Challenge Cup.

Phil Younghusband scored the first gial at the 19th minute despite losing his balance.

The score was tied by Maldives' Mohamed Umair at the 36th minute, but the Azkals again took the lead, 2-1, courtesy of Jerry Lucena at the 39th minute.

Maldives again got an opportunity to tie the score when Assadhulla Abdulla scored a goal off a corner kick at the 66th minute.

Younghusband and Maldives star striker Ali Ashfaq made several attempts to score a goal but both missed their marks.

But at the 104th minute, substitute Chris Greatwich made a winning shot in front of the goal, providing the one-point lead for the Azkals which their opponent failed to recover from.

The Azkals will face Palestine in the finals on Friday for the Challenge Cup trophy and the chance to clinch a spot in the Asian Cup 2015.

For more entertainment news, follow The Ultimate Fan on Facebook and Twitter.