By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
FOOTBALL fanatics screamed their lungs out at the Panaad Stadium, Bacolod City during the Azkals-China match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers which ended in a scoreless draw.
The Azkals played with a wonderful pace that kept up with the Chinese offense every time they played long crosses from the side flanks.
Both teams started the match in steady fashion, throwing long lobs and crosses to try and break the midfield defense early on.
Returning Azkal goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who currently plays for the Cardiff City in the Premier League, asserted his leadership and tremendous defensive reads early on as he communicated with the Azkal’s last line of defense as soon as he sees a defensive breakdown.
Etheridge also saved tons of Chinese solid attempts, including two from near the box and one from a box scramble where he out-jumped the men in red then tapped the ball out to an open Azkal.
As the second half approached, both teams were eager to cash in on a goal to draw first blood, but the more intense defensive schemes were executed properly by both teams.
During the 70th minute mark of the match, Mark Hartmann had a solid attempt off a free kick in the middle of the pitch but fell into the hands of the Chinese keeper directly.
In an attempt to equalize the attempt, a Chinese midfielder threw a beautiful through ball received by their striker but the attempt was saved by Etheridge.
The match ended in a scoreless draw ending with the Azkals having defended their home pitch on a positive note.
