By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno
CAPAS, Tarlac – Bjorn Kristensen had himself a night for the Philippine men’s national football team as the squad salvaged a 2-2 draw against Tajikistan in a crucial AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Asian Cup Qualifiers match on Tuesday night in front of 10,854 fans at New Clark City Athletic Stadium here.
Kristensen opened the scoring for the Philippine team in the 28th minute, to the delight of the largest crowd at the venue since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
However, Mabatshoev Shervoni pounced on a crucial error by Kevin Hansen and tied the match in the 30th minute before Umarbaev Parvizdzhon put the Tajiks ahead in the 42nd minute.
Kristensen, though, saved the best for last as he converted a long kick by Hansen into a breakaway goal in the 79th minute.
Both teams are at four points on one win and one draw each, but the Philippines remains ahead of Group A on goal difference. The top team of each group will advance to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Up next for the Philippines on Oct. 9 is Timor Leste, which is coming off a 1-0 win over winless Maldives for three points in the group. (PNA)
