ILOILO CITY – Ten-man Philippines held defending champion Tajikistan to a scoreless draw in a highly-physical encounter yesterday, while Brunei and Bhutan fought to 1-all stalemate in Group B of the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers here.

The Philippines played the last 69 minutes at the Iloilo Sports Complex with 10 men, after defender Jason Cordova was sent off in the 21st minute for punching Tajikistan striker Khamikov Numondzhon in the face.

At the Barotac Nuevo Football Plaza, Bhutan took a 12th minute lead through Dendup Nawang, before Salleh Muhammad Khayrun equalized 14 minutes from the end, after pouncing on a cross by Kasmi Muhammad Maududi Himi.

The results meant that all four teams have an equal chance of qualifying. Tajikistan has four points, the same output with the Philippines, although Kodirov Pulod's side have a better goal difference over the Filipinos.

Tajikistan defeated Bhutan, 3-1, Tuesday, while the Philippines blanked Brunei, 1-0.

Brunei and Bhutan have one point after two matches, but the Bruneians are ahead on goal difference. 

Tajikistan meets Brunei tomorrow at the ISC, while the Philippines battles Bhutan in Barotac.

"We played very well. It's a good result for us," said Philippines coach Norman Fegidero. "We played very tight and we showed them we were well-prepared".

Philippines defender Alexander Borromeo added: "We proved them wrong. The red card on Cordova made us stronger. The pushing and shoving was part of the game because we are the best two teams here".

Pulod blamed the pitch condition, which he said stymied his team's attack. "We cannot run because of the bad pitch".

Pulod made no change in the side that won over Bhutan but couldn't break down a compact Philippine defense in the opening 15 minutes. Tajikistan's first chance came in the 19th minute when Yusuf Rabiev couldn't direct his volley goalwards after a terrific layoff from Numondzhon.

With the Philippines pulling more men back, Tajikistan was limited to a series of half-chances with the best coming from Sohib Savankulov, whose 34th minute effort from 20 yards whistled inches off the right top corner.

Three minutes later, Philippines goalkeeper Neil Etheridge's punt found an unmarked Phil Younghusband on the attacking third but the Philippines striker's lofted effort that went over Tajik keeper Alisher Tuychiev sailed just wide.

As teams headed into their dugouts for the halftime break, a scuffle broke out near the Philippines bench, involving Tajik defender Zafardzhon Zuvaydov and Anton Del Rosario.

The incident only characterized the physical nature of the match, which saw five bookings --- four for Tajik players Zuvaydov, Ibragim Rabimov, Odil Irgashev and Suhrob Mansurov and one for the Philippines in Del Rosario.

Dzhomikhon Muhidinov's through ball released Numondzhon at the edge of the area but Philippines keeper Neil Etheridge denied him a clear shot on goal in the 74th minute that proved to be the best chance for Tajikistan in the second half.

The Philippines held firm from there to share the spoils.*

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