Azkals vs Palestine: AFC Challenge Cup Battle for 3rd

Azkals aim for 3rd in AFC Challenge Cup as they face Palestine this Monday, March 19, 2012.

Returning in action for the Azkals are Guirado and James Younghusband, as well as Jason Sabio, who is returning from injury.

Watch Azkals vs Palestine: AFC Challenge Cup Battle for 3rd Live Telecast on Studio 23. Stay tuned for live updates and game results.

Azkals vs Turkmenistan AFC Challenge Cup Semifinals Game Result

The Philippine Azkals' run in the AFC Challenge Cup came to an abrupt end after they lost, 1-2, at the hands of Turkmenistan in their semifinal encounter in Nepal on Friday.

The Azkals conceded 2 goals in the second half after claiming a 1-0 advantage in the first half.

Phil Younghusband scored the lone goal for the Philippines.

After a shaky start by both squads, the Azkals drew first blood in the 25th minute when Younghusband connected on a header that pushed the Azkals ahead, 1-0.

However, the Turkmenistan Green Men clawed back and dominated possession.

Turkmenistan Player of the Year Arslanmyrat Amanov scored the equalizer in the 80th minute, when his low volley sneaked past Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Gahrymanberdi Chonkayev scored the winning goal for Turkmenistan in the 85th.

Making matters worse for the Azkals was Etheridge's ejection from the game in the 92nd minute.

Etheridge, who made spectacular saves in the game, was caught kicking the foot of a Turkmen player.

He received a red card, which means he won't be around when the Filipinos play for third place on Monday against the loser of the North Korea-Palestine match.

The Turkmens had 15 shots at the goal with 11 of them on target.

Meanwhile, the Azkals had 13 shots, with 8 on target.

The Filipinos' defense was also busier with 11 saves compared to Turkmenistan’s 8.

The Azkals missed the services of James Younghusband and Angel Guirado, who each incurred their second yellow card in the Tajikistan game.

Jason Sabio, whose throw-ins created chances for the Azkals in their earlier games, was also forced to sit out the Turkmenistan match due to a knee injury.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Azkals, who toppled two former champions on their way to the semifinals.

They beat 2008 champion India and 2006 titlist Tajikistan prior to their match against the Green Men.

The Philippines has never won a title in international football competition.

The last time the Philippines reached the finals was in 1925 in the Far Eastern Games wherein the country finished in second place.

PBA Philippine Cup 2011 Semifinals Starts January 4 2012

Basketball fans will have their fill of high-octane basketball action when the PBA welcomes the year 2012 with eight games in eight nights to usher in the Philippine Cup Semifinals.

Image Courtesy of PBA.ph

 To give the viewing public a better chance to see all the Final 4 games, from January 4 to 11, one semifinal game will be played each night at 6:45 p.m.

“This nightly semifinal schedule makes it easier for the fans to be able to watch all our games live,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud. “Those coming from work or school can catch the games from the start and because there’s only one game, they can also go home earlier.”

The 8-game stretch is a first in the rich 37-year history of Asia’s first play-for-pay basketball league.

Games 5 to 7, if necessary, will revert back to the usual PBA schedule, with Game 5 to be played on January 13, Game 6 on January 15 and Game 7 on January 18.

Game 1 of the Finals will be played in Digos City in Davao del Sur on January 20. Then, breakin from the traditional gameday, Game 2 will be played on the Chinese New Year holiday, January 23, a Monday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The succeeding games will be played on traditional PBA gamedays, with Game 3 scheduled on January 25, Wednesday. If the championship series goes to a Game 7, the last game of the conference will be played on February 3, 2012.

PBA Philippine Cup 2011 Semifinals Games:


Powerade Tigers vs Rain or Shine - Best of 7 Series Result
Game 1 Result: Rain or Shine wins 114- 97
Game 2 Result: Powerade wins 121-113
Game 3 Result: Powerade wins in OT - 104-99
Game 4 Result: Rain or Shine wins 110-95
Game 5 Result: Powerade wins 110-108
Game 6 Result: Rain or Shine wins 112-98
Game 7 Result: Powerade wins 107-98

Talk n Text vs Petron Blaze Boosters - Best of 7 Series Result
Game 1 Result: TALK N’ TEXT wins 87 - 83
Game 2 Result: Petron wins 91-89
Game 3 Result: Petron wins 95-93
Game 4 Result: Petron wins 85-82
Game 5 Result: Talk n Text wins 93-81
Game 6 Result: Talk n Text wins 111-108
Game 7 Result: Talk n Text wins 92-91

The PBA Finals Game 1 between Powerade vs Talk n Text will be on January 20, 2012 at Digos, Davao

The PBA Philippine Cup 2011 Semifinals Games will be aired and Telecast Live by AKTV on IBC 13.