Held North Korea, 0-0, in their match last Thursday in Pyongyang, the Philippine Azkals earned a point that kept them within striking distance of the group leaders at third place with a 2-1-1 record and seven points.

North Korea still leads Group H with a 3-1-0 win-draw-loss record and 10 points while Uzbekistan is second at 3-0-1 (nine points).

In light of where the Azkals currently stand, Ryan Fenix, resident football analyst of Interaksyon.com and author of the column “Rampaging Fullback,” said it is very important for them to win their match against Bahrain today at the host’s national stadium at 11 p.m. (Manila time).

“The one point gained versus North Korea was massive. But to fully maximize that point, we must go and win the game against Bahrain,” Mr. Fenix said in an interview with BusinessWorld.

He added: “At this point, there is not much room for slip-ups. Uzbekistan, North Korea and Bahrain and us are all aspiring to progress. If we harbor any serious intentions of qualifying and securing second spot, this is a game we must win.”

Bahrain (1-0-3, three points), which the Philippines beat, 2-1, in June, is running fourth in the group with Yemen (0-0-4) the only winless team to date.

Poring over reports instead on the North Korea game since the match was not broadcast locally, Mr. Fenix welcomed that defensively the Thomas Dooley-coached Azkals played well.

He said, however, that against Bahrain a shift in tack may be needed.

“We have to shift mentality now, from denying North Korea a goal and a defensive mentality, to perhaps a more attack-minded one versus Bahrain,” Mr. Fenix said.

“That said, defensive solidity cannot be compromised against Bahrain, who are sure to want to avenge their loss to us,” he added.

A go-getting mind-set is also key, the analyst said.

“The Azkals seem to play better when the odds are against us, see the North Korea result. It is important to bring that mentality against Bahrain,” Mr. Fenix said.

In the Asian Qualifiers, the top team in the group will secure a place in the third round together with the four best second-placers from among the eight brackets. The 12 teams in the third round will also gain automatic slots to the AFC Asian Cup in 2019. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo