The Uzbeks were unstoppable after scoring two goals in less than 15 minutes of the game courtesy of captain Odil Akhmedov and Sardor Rashidov in the 14th minute of the first half.
The visiting team was already riding on four goals when the Azkals barged in to the win column after a conversion by Stephan Schrock on the 68th minute.
The Azkals tried but failed to capitalize on the momentum of their first conversion as the Uzbeks were determined to foil the Azkals attempts at the goal that resulted in another conversion by the visiting team, giving them five points in the closing minutes of the game.
Before the game, the Azkals had two straight wins in the ongoing FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Bahrain 2-1 on June 2 and Yemen 2-0 last June 16. In a friendly, the Azkals also won over the Maldives team last week.
Uzbekistan is perceived as the strongest team in the World Cup Qualifiers but Azkals coach Thomas Dooley was confident his team would be victorious.
“Uzbekistan is the best team in our group, the most difficult team to play against,” said the American coach. “What they do is that they are not outstanding, but they are more experienced.”
“It will be a very very difficult game for us, we are totally the underdogs in that game.”
The Philippine team was included in Group H which include Uzbekistan, Bahrain, North Korea and Yemen
Next game for the Azkals will be on Oct. 8 against Group H leader North Korea.
