Icheon City beats Azkals by penalty shootout

Sunday, January 22, 2012

THE new-look Azkals lost in a way that was new to fans, by penalty shootout to the visiting Icheon City FC in the charity match dubbed the Kia Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last night.

After fighting to a 1-1 draw, the Azkals lost the shootout, 4-2, with Filipino-Spanish player Carli de Murga making a horrendous bungle from the 12-yard spot to send the Azkals to their third straight loss in a friendly at home.

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Earlier, the Azkals, who were missing the services of Loyola Meralco Sparks’ Phil and James Younghusband, and Kaya FC’s Anton del Rosario, Jason Sabio and Lexton Moy due to club duties in the United Football League, initiated most of the attacks in the first half.

Emilio Caligdong had a free kick sail high and a floater from Angel Guirado to Misagh Bahadoran was caught by the keeper.

In the 17th, Ian Araneta muscled his way in a goalmouth scramble only to miss wide and in the 19th, another shot from Caligdong was deflected for a corner.

In the 21st, Bin Tae Kwan beat the defense and Eduard Sacapaño to put the visitors up front and in the 30th, the Koreans could have made it 2-0 but the goal was overruled for offside.

After a few misses, the Azkals finally got the equalizer through substitute Marwin Angels in the 88th minute and could have gotten the winner in injury time but Dennis Wolf, who was making his debut, missed yet again.

In the shootout, all four Koreans made their penalty shots, while Aldeguer hit the bar.

After Caligdong and Ruben Doctora converted their simple shots, it was the turn of de Murga, who hit his free kick so off target he covered his face in shame.