MANILA -- The Philippine Azkals scored an all-important win in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after edging Maldives, 2-1, at the Maldives National Football Stadium in Male on Nov. 14.
The Azkals came alive in the second half to turn back Maldives and momentarily take a share of second place in Group A with China, which played Syria later Thursday.
Iain Ramsay scored the opening goal for the Azkals in the 53rd minute, while Patrick Strauss, who played through a gashed head following a hard foul by Akram Abdul Ghanee in the first half, drilled in the dagger in the 69th minute.
Naiz Hassan scored the consolation goal for Maldives in the third minute of stoppage time.
The Azkals are now tied with China at seven points, although the latter owns the tiebreaker on a superior goal difference.
Both teams are two points behind Group A leader Syria, but China can take the top spot with a win against Syria at the Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
The Azkals will travel to Dubai on Tuesday night to face Syria. (PNA)
