The Philippine men’s national football team kept their top spot in Group A thanks to two goals from Bjorn Kristensen against Tajikistan.
Bjorn Kristensen scored twice against Tajikistan, helping the Philippine men’s national football team salvage a 2-2 draw and stay ahead in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers Tuesday at the New Clark City Stadium.
Despite the visitors getting ahead in the first half after Kristensen’s opener at the 27th minute, the 23-year-old had the last laugh after getting past the Tajikistan keeper at the 79th minute to help the home team level the score, 2-all.
While the Philippines were unable to convert on a game winner late, being the busier team in the last 10 minutes of the match, the result helped them keep their position atop their group thanks to superior goal difference against Tajikistan.
Only the winners of each group will qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Physicality was apparent between the Philippines and Tajikistan as both teams were eager to overtake the other in the standings.
Tajikistan’s second goal was actually the result of a penalty near halftime, with Jesper Nyholm called for a contentious foul that was thought to be inside the box by the referee. This led to a spot kick from Parvizdzhon Umarbayev.
Before Umarbayev took the spot for the PK, the Philippines' Josef Baccay was given a yellow card for complaining.
Tajikistan overtook the Philippines after the penalty kick, 2-1. This came after Kristensen's first goal at the 27th minute mark was quickly answered by Shervoni Mabatshoev just three minutes later.
A total of 13 yellow cards were brought out by the officials in the match.
The Philippines play their next two matches against Timor Leste in October. They play away first on October 9 before returning to the Philippines for their second meeting.