Neil Etheridge made two crucial saves late to help preserve the Philippine Azkals’ 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan in their international friendly match last Tuesday at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek.
Etheridge saved a penalty kick shortly before injury time before coming through with another stop during a last-gasp opportunity by the Kyrgyzs to draw level as the Azkals won their only match of the international window.
Kevin Ingreso struck the opening goal for the Azkals in the 43rd minute when he fired a left-footed shot off a free kick by Phil Younghusband from the flank.
Misagh Bahadoran doubled the lead in the 52nd with a volley inside the box, but Kyrgyzstan gave itself a lifeline at the hour mark on a goal by Vitalij Lux.
The victory came despite several adversities the Azkals encountered in the international window.
Their supposed home match against Turkmenistan last week at the Philippine Sports Stadium was cancelled after a number of injuries decimated the supposed visitors.