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| Bjorn Kristensen scored eight goals in the entire Asian Cup Qualifiers. PFF |
By: Gil Moriones
MANILA -- After trailing in the first half, the Philippine Men's National Football Team channeled their first-half frustrations against the disheartened Timor-Leste after scoring three goals to secure a 3-1 triumph in the last home game of the Philippines in the ongoing 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, Tuesday night at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
The home team was left stunned after Joao Rangel converted his curling shot attempt from long distance, making Kevin Ray Mendoza unable to reach it, to tally their lead at the end of the first half, 1-0 for the visiting Timor-Leste at the 45+1 minute.
The second half turned into a dramatic comeback for the Nationals.
Jefferson Tabinas equalized the game after tapping the ball in close range, sending it into the back of the net from the header feed by Randy Schneider at the 46th minute, 1-1.
Then, Bjorn Kristensen scored the leading goal for the Philippines to make it 2-1 after Jesper Nyholm spotted Bjorn inside the Timorese box at the 71st minute of the game.
The scoring leader now has eight goals in this Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Kristensen wanted to make it double after he crossed the Timorese goalkeeper, but substitute Morio Quintao successfully chased him to deny the third goal for the Philippines at the 83rd minute.
But the third goal for the Philippines was meant to be, as Jarvey Gayoso put the Philippines in a comfortable position after he scored the nail-in-the-coffin goal following a defensive clearance error by the Timorese in stoppage time at the 90+3 minute, 3-1.
Tajikistan already closed out their encounter with the Maldives in this Asian Cup Qualifiers with a concluding 3-0 win in Male.
The Philippines lead the Group A standings despite being tied at 10 points with Tajikistan, because of their superior goal difference of eight.
The Philippines will hold another closing match vs. the Maldives in Male on November 18.
