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TEAM Philippines will be taking on Bhutan today with the mission of not just winning but scoring as many goals as it could, as they try to clinch a spot in the main tournament at the close of the Group B qualifying in the AFC Challenge Cup at the Barotac Nuevo Football Plaza in Iloilo City.
The Azkals are currently tied with defending champions Tajikistan on points but are behind on goal difference as they head into today's crucial encounter wanting their fate to be in their hands.
A draw is out of the question for the Norman Fegidero-mentored squad unless Brunei pulls the rug out from under the defending champions in their game at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Should the Azkals and the Tajiks win their respective games, after the two squads played to a scoreless draw last Thursday, the team with the better goal difference will book a ticket to the AFC Challenge Cup in India later this year.
A lot is also at stake for Bhutan as a victory would also give them a puncher's chance of advancing.
The same can be said for Brunei after it played to a 1-1 draw against Bhutan last Thursday.
The Azkals' defense though will be greatly hampered with the suspension of Jason Cordova. The Sta. Barbara native was sent off in the 21st minute of their match against Tajikistan for an unsportsmanlike conduct.
The match in the country's football capital will also be a homecoming of sorts for skipper Emelio Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Joebel Bermejo, Ruben Doctora, Ricardo Becite III and teenager Joven Bedic, who all honed their skills in Barotac Nuevo.
