Phil Younghusband is hoping that the third time will be a charm for the Philippine Azkals as they seek to qualify for their first-ever appearance in the prestigious Asian Cup.
The Azkals failed in their first two opportunities to reach Asia’s biggest football competition after falling short in the 2012 and 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, but are looking to make it this time through the third round of qualifiers which began last night against Nepal.
For the Azkals to make it to the 2019 edition set in the United Arab Emirates, they must finish in the top two of Group F, which also includes Tajikistan and Yemen. The third round will feature a home-and-away format for a total of eight matches.
Younghusband was part of the two unsuccessful bids to reach the 2015 Asian Cup, losing to Turkmenistan in the 2012 Challenge Cup held in Kathmandu, Nepal, before absorbing a heartbreaking loss to Palestine in the 2014 Challenge Cup final in Maldives.
In that 2014 final, the Azkals lost 1-0 after Ashraf Nu’man scored the marginal goal off a free kick in the second half.
“Looking back at that time, 2012 and especially 2014, being one goal away from being in the Asian Cup, we felt we had the team that time. And to fall short by a goal, we felt very disappointed and we thought if we will ever get this chance again,” said Younghusband.
“But you know, we’ve been presented with another opportunity where we felt we have a great chance. Obviously it motivates us knowing that you know what happened in the past. But we have such a great opportunity, and we’re confident we can do the job,” he added.
The Azkals and Nepal were playing at presstime.