The Philippine Online Chronicles

In the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championship, Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar just needs one more win to book a slot in next year’s London Olympics. Saludar defeated Safoviddin Yusufi of Tajikistan, 28-12, to advance to the third round of the tournament. If he wins against two-time Olympian Rau’Shee Warren today, Saludar will be the first Filipino to qualify for next year's Olympic games.

Fourth-ranked Andy Murray of Great Britain won his 19^th career title by defeating Donald Young of the United States, 6-2, 6-0, in the 2011 Thailand Open. The much more experienced Murray dominated the American from start to finish. Murray only needed 48 minutes to finish off the challenger.

In football, the Philippine Azkals need to score at least five goals against Macau later today in order to take the 2011 Long Teng Cup title. Even if the Filipinos make five goals and prevent Macau from making a goal, they have to hope that Taiwan and Hongkong play to a draw in their match in order to bag the crown.

Boxing: Saludar on the verge of making the Olympics

Amateur boxing sensation Rey Saludar, who won the gold medal in last year’s Asian Games in the 52 kg division, is just one win away from making it to the 2012 London Olympics. Saludar needs to win against Rau’Shee Warren of the United States in the third round of the 2011 AIBA World Championship held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Saludar advanced to the third round after a convincing 28-12 drubbing of Safoviddin Yusufi of Tajikistan. Before his impressive outing against Yusufi in the second round, Saludar defeated Kenny Lally of Canada, 21-20, in the first round.

According to the rules, an amateur boxer needs to win at least three matches in order to advance to the Olympics.

Aside from Saludar, two other Filipino pugilists are looking to go deep in the boxing tournament.

18-year-old Mark Anthony Barriga is going up against Patrick Barnes of Ireland in the second round. Barnes won the bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but the Filipino is confident that he can pull off a big surprise in their bout later.

Meanwhile, veteran internationalist and 2006 Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon is going to face Zhang Jiawei of China in the bantamweight division and try to advance in the next round of the tournament.

Tennis: Fourth-ranked Murray wins Thailand Open

Andy Murray of Great Britain claimed his 19^th career title after an easy win over Donald Young of the United States in the final match of this year’s Thailand Open. The world number four Murray finished off Young in just 48 minutes, 6-2, 6-0.

With Young playing in his very first final, Murray completely dominated the match by taking advantage of Young’s inexperience. Murray went on for a 4-0 lead in the first set before Young won his first game to make it 5-1. However, the 24-year old Scotsman unleashed an overhead winner to take the first set.

In the second set, Murray continued to apply pressure to force Young to make a ton of mistakes. Murray was so dominant that he only let Young score three points in the second set.

Football: Azkals need to win big against Macau today

With their backs against the wall, the Philippine Azkals need to win big over Macau later today to take the title of the 2011 Long Teng Cup.

After playing to a draw against Taiwan and Hongkong last Sunday and Friday, the Filipinos need to score five goals against Macau and hope that the Taiwan-Hongkong match will end up in a draw.

If either Taiwan or Hongkong wins, the Azkals are going to play for a second-place finish. The Philippine squad isn’t exactly the same team that competed in the World Cup qualifiers because of the presence of five members from the under-23 team.

Some of the notable names who are not competing in the Long Teng Cup for the Philippines are Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Christopher Greatwhich, and Stephan Schrock.

In the match against Macau later, the Azkals will be missing the services of midfielder Angel Guirado who has been suspended after receiving a yellow card in the match against Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Jason de Jong will suit up later today while Chieffy Caligdong is not guaranteed to play after sustaining a bruised leg when the Philippines played against Taiwan.