The Philippine men’s national football team, the Azkals, wrote history anew after they closed out the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying rounds, beating Tajikistan, 2-1, Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila and earning a spot in the tournament for the first time, which is set to take place next year, from January 5 to February 1, in the United Arab Emirates.

The Philippines qualified by finishing atop Group F and will compete alongside 23 other countries in the upcoming tournament.

For the upcoming tournament draw, the Azkals are in Pot 4, alongside Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Thailand, and Turkmenistan.

“This victory is for those Filipinos and supporters who continued to believe despite all those dark moments where we could not achieve anything,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami. “All I ask is that for everyone to continue to support our national team as they do everything they can to represent our country.”

He went on to call qualification “a dream came true.”

For goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, he recalled the journey the team has taken to get to this point.

“It took us 10 years to be where we are right now,” he said. “We have to take baby steps as the reward doesn’t come overnight.”

In a message, Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley said he is proud of the team’s performance.

“For now, we celebrate, and talk next week,” he said.

For the thousands of Filipinos who continuously supported the Azkals, no matter what, you will always be the 12th man.

Congratulations to Boss Dan and the Azkals./JSG, WDJ