Alexandria native Nate Burkeys soccer squad is another step closer to a World Cup appearance in 2014 after the Philippines national team trampled Sri Lanka over the weekend. 
    
The Azkals, which translated means street dogs, whipped their Asian rivals 4-0 in their second World Cup qualifier July 3. The two teams met in Manila after the underdog Sri Lankan team forced a 1-1 draw in their first match June 30. 
    
Burkey, an American-Filipino midfielder, became an overnight star after a well-placed headshot kept the Sri Lankans from running away with the first of the two-game series. It was his first international goal.
    
Just days later, teammates Emelio Caligdong, Phil Younghusband and James Younghusband earned the Azkals a chance at facing the Kuwaiti national team in the next round of qualifiers. The two teams meet in Kuwait on July 23 with the rematch scheduled in the Philippines on July 28.