THE Philippine Azkals will miss a return trip to the AFC Asian Cup next year after they were eased out of fifth and last slot by Indonesia at the end of the third round of the qualifying competitions yesterday.
Playing in Kuwait City late Tuesday night, the Indons crushed Nepal 7-0 to advance to the continental soccer showpiece after securing second place in Group A with six points, enough to propel them past the Pinoy booters for the much-coveted Asian Cup spot.
The Azkals, who entered yesterday’s final qualifying games in fourth place, did themselves no favor earlier after absorbing a 0-4 beating from Palestine, which topped Group B of the Asian Cup qualifiers with its third win a row in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to earn an outright berth. — Bong Pedralvez
