GERRIT Holtmann produced a late winner as the Philippines took full three points in the AFC Asian Cup Group B qualifiers with a 1-0 win over host Mongolia yesterday.

The Azkals were seemed to be headed to another draw until Holtmann delivered a stoppage time magic to collect four points.

It was Holtmann’s first international goal and it came at the right time for returning coach Thomas Dooley.

Up next for the Philippines, which battled Yemen to a scoreless stalemate in the opener, is a showdown with Palestine at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the MFF Stadium.

The Azkals need to win the group or become one of the five best second placed teams to secure qualification to the Asian Cup for the second straight time.

The loss was the second straight for the Mongolians, who all but eliminated from the continent’s biggest football competition.

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Theodore P. Jurado