The first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals: Philippine Azkals versus Singapore Lions happened Saturday night, December 8 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The game ended with a final score of 0-0 (a scoreless draw) as both teams failed to score a goal.
The Philippine Azkals' starting line up include goalkeeper Eduard Sacapaño, Rob Gier, brothers Juani and Angel Guirado and James and Phil Younghusband, Dennis Cagara, Carli de Murga, Jason De Jong, Paul Mulders, and Patrick Reichelt.
The Singapore Lions may have dominated the first half with more goal attempts but the Azkals' Ed Sacapaño has been bailing out the team with awesome saves. The first half ended with both teams scoreless.
The Azkals began pressuring the Lions at the start of second half. Marwin Angeles came in for De Jong early minutes of the second half while Chieffy Caligdong subbed for Reichelt at the 76th minute. The game got to a more physical one during the last few minutes and one player each from both teams got injured—Cagara from the Azkals and Baihakki Khaizan from the Lions.
Singapore had more fouls committed and got three yellow cards while the Azkals earned its own out of Cagara's pushing a rival who held on to his shirt.
The Azkals played with all their heart but failed to play offense, ending to a not so great result. The game however, was not a bad one.
The Philippine Azkals will be playing Singapore Lions for the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals on Wednesday, December 12 to be held at Singapore's Jalan Besar Stadium, the Lions' home turf. Because of the away goals rule, the Azkals can advance to the finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup if they hold the Lions to a scoring draw—such as a 1-1 or 2-2 scoreline—in the second leg.
