Angel Aldueger Guirado of the Philippine Azkals
When Phil Younghusband pulled his hamstring on his recent game against Mongolia in the AFC Challenge Cup last March 15, 2009, he left a big void in the lineup of the Philippine national football team. Although he scored a goal after just four minutes of the game, the Philippines dropped a close 1-2 decision. The Philippines nevertheless advanced into the next round of the Cup by virtue of points aggregate. The Philippines won the first game 2-0, so the total point aggregate of the team is 2-1 in favor of the Filipinos which is good enough to enter the next stage of the Cup.
One week later the Azkals entered the group stage of the Cup minus Younghusband. The Azkals is bunched with host Myanmar, dark horse Palestine and Bangladesh. The Azkals team is definitely groping for form on their first two matches against Myanmar and Palestine as it stalled with two draws. The team both drew its games 1-1 against Myanmar and 0-0 against the Palestine.
The Philippines could’ve won the match against Myanmar but a lucky goal by Myanmar in the
last minute of the game ends the game on 1-all decision.
With the two draws, the Philippine surely missed the services of its main gunner in the tournament but not until the third and deciding match came.
The Azkals which need a win against Bangladesh which is fresh from its 2-1 upset of Myanmar, finally showed their fierce fighting force. Ian Araneta started the Azkal’s scoring onslaught by nailing a goal in the first half handing the Philippines a volatile 1-0 lead.
The scoring scourge did not end as Filipino-Spanish Angel Guirado scored a couple of goals in the second half to bludgeon the upset conscious Bangladeshi soccer squad with an emphatic 3-0 decision.
The Philippines finally found a great substitute for its top striker in Guirado and his stellar performance mattered since the team stave off elimination from the tournament.
With Guirado’s heroics the Philippines collected five points (1 win 2 draws and 0 loss) and joined Palestine (2 wins 1 draw and 0 loss) which top in the group stage of the AFC Challenge Cup. Bangladesh and Myanmar bombed out of the tournament.
Guirado dons a long hair and suits up for Atletico Madrid (a third division in the prestigious Spanish League) as a reserve. He can play the right wing with vicious attacking skills or a feisty midfielder.
The inclusion of Guirado will certainly provide scoring opportunities and bolster the offensive stratagem of the team. The 6’2 and well-built Guirado showed too much class and creativity on his last three games. He is capable of ripping through enemy defenses and can create space for him.
Expect fireworks to Guirado and Younghusband to blow up when these two young lads will team up on their game against Sri Lanka in the qualifying stage for the 2014 Soccer World Cup. Younghusband already recuperated from a hamstring injury and just need therapy to be in top shape.
Short biography of Angel Aldeguer Guirado
Birth date: December 9, 2004
Birth Place: Malaga, Spain
Height: 6”2” (1.90 m)
Weight: 187 lbs (85 kgs)
Position: Forward and Midfielder
Clubs:
First entry to
WritingContest, hitting two birds with one stone (:
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