EPIC won’t suffice to describe tonight’s penultimate AFC Asian Cup qualifying match between the Philippines and Tajikistan at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
As the third round of qualification wraps up, we’d know by day’s end who among the three teams — the Philippines, Tajikistan and Yemen — vying for the top two spots in Group F have qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The Azkals lead Group F with 9 pts.and need only a draw to advance to the prestigious tournament. But that’s easier said than done. Third-place Tajikistan (7 pts.) needs the win to ensure qualification.
If either side gets unfavorable results, their fate rests on the outcome of the match between second-place Yemen (7 pts.) and eliminated Nepal (2 pts.) in Qatar.
Although both teams are tied with 7 pts. apiece, Yemen occupies the second spot ahead of Tajikistan due to goal difference in head-to-head matches.
If both Yemen and Tajikistan win, the Azkals will crash out of contention and join Nepal. But if Nepal decides to spoil the party and beats Yemen, the Azkals would still advance even if it loses tonight.
If both matches end in a draw, the Azkals advance with 10 pts., while goal difference in head-to-head matches between Yemen and Tajikistan, now with 8 pts. apiece, will decide who survives. It’s the same if both Yemen and Tajikistan lose.
These complicated scenarios where much is at stake are the reasons that Tajikistan will be a far more tenacious foe than the version the Azkals defeated 4-3 in the Tajik capital of Dashnube a year ago today. The Persian Lions won’t just be out for revenge, they desperately need the win – a dangerous combination in anyone’s book.
The Azkals, on the other hand, are a point away from a date with history. If the Azkals squander this chance, it will be a big blow to the sport in a country hungry for good news. That is how important tonight’s game is, and such is the burden the Azkals bear.
With the kind of pressure both sides are facing, Philippines vs. Tajikistan II can turn inconceivably intense, if not brutal. Still, I believe that our team is well-equipped to overcome its biggest challenge yet.
That means Filipino fans who will show up at 7:30 p.m. at the Rizal stadium and throw their support behind our Azkals will be rewarded with an epic football match the likes of which we’ve never seen. To miss tonight’s game would just be unfortunate.