Today's match started with a tentative opening forty-five minutes, with few shots, as neither side seemed willing to commit many players in attack, and leave space for their opposition on the counter.
Following an injury delay towards the end of the half, Philippines striker Phil Younghusband had a chance to open the scoring as he was unmarked in the Bahrain area, sadly his header went wide of the target as the scores remained level at the break.
The second half started at a much better pace,with both sides creating openings in the final third, an early Azkals corner was cleared, while a Bahrain attack was quelled, forcing the forward to fire high and wide.
Bahrain opened the scoring after fifty-three minutes, Ismail Abdul-Latif tapping the ball past Etheridge following some poor defending inside the Philippines area.
The hosts doubled their lead just after the hour mark, as Sayed Adnan Hussain sent a fantastic free kick over the wall and past a helpless Etheridge, who flew across his goal.
The Philippines were unable to get themselves back into the game as the hosts ran out winners. The Azkals remain in third position in Qualification Group H, well behind North Korea.
Following an injury delay towards the end of the half, Philippines striker Phil Younghusband had a chance to open the scoring as he was unmarked in the Bahrain area, sadly his header went wide of the target as the scores remained level at the break.
2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION (AFC GROUP H) - HT
BAHRAIN 0-0 PHILIPPINES
The second half started at a much better pace,with both sides creating openings in the final third, an early Azkals corner was cleared, while a Bahrain attack was quelled, forcing the forward to fire high and wide.
Bahrain opened the scoring after fifty-three minutes, Ismail Abdul-Latif tapping the ball past Etheridge following some poor defending inside the Philippines area.
The hosts doubled their lead just after the hour mark, as Sayed Adnan Hussain sent a fantastic free kick over the wall and past a helpless Etheridge, who flew across his goal.
The Philippines were unable to get themselves back into the game as the hosts ran out winners. The Azkals remain in third position in Qualification Group H, well behind North Korea.
2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION (AFC GROUP H) - RESULT
BAHRAIN 2-0 PHILIPPINES
GOALS | Abdul-Latif (53'), Sayed Adnan (61'),
REFEREE | Mr. Mohanad SARRAY | Iraq