Gerrit Holtmann made it a debut to savor. The forward scored the winner in the 93rd minute to lift the Philippines to a 1-0 win over Mongolia in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers last Saturday, 11 June 2022 at the MFF Stadium in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Holtmann, who only joined the team last Thursday, rifled the match winner with a low shot from the edge of the box to hand the Philippines the three points against Mongolia with only one match left in Group B.
Coach Thomas Dooley fielded a retooled lineup with Holtmann pairing up with Bienvenido Marañon up front while Patrick Reichelt manned the wings.
The Azkals dominated in possession, but was unable to find the breakthrough in the first half with Manny Ott’s free kick as the only chance of the half.
Ott was called in defense in the second half as the midfielder denied Mongolia the lead with a clearance off the line.
The Philippines almost took the lead in the 77th minute after Reichelt was fouled. However, the winger’s effort from the spot was denied by Mongolia’s Munkh-Erdene Enkhtaivan ensuring a nervy finished between both sides.
Substitute Dylan De Bruycker almost struck home the winner in the 91st minute but was denied by again by Enkhtaivan.
In the 93rd minute, Holtmann finally struck gold to put the Philippines a step closer to Asian Cup qualification.
The Azkals face Palestine in the final Group B match on Tuesday, 14 June 2022.
Photos from AFC