PHILIPPINE AZKALS IN MUST-WIN GAME AGAINST FORMER CHAMPIONS INDIA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Mar 2012
The Philippine Azkals face former champions India in a must-win game in the so-called "Group of Death" in the Asian Football Confederation "Challenge Cup" late Sunday in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Both teams lost their opening matches, with the Azkals holding defending champions North Korea to a scoreless first half thanks to the brilliant goalkeeping of Neil Etheridge and some resolute defending but eventually conceded two goals in what many described as a worthy performance against the prohibitive favorites who had seven World Cup players in their powerhouse line-up.
The DPR coach Yun Jong-su said in a post-match interview he believes the Philippines can create problems for both India who won the ?Challenge Cup? in 2008 and Tajikistan who won the trophy in 2006, if they continue to play like they did against North Korea.
The North Korean coach said ?I would not be surprised if they (the Philippine Azkals) cause problems to the other teams in the group? even as he pointed out that the Philippines has improved tremendously over the past few years.
Asked whether the 2-0 score against the Philippines who are considered underdogs in the tournament showed that the North Koreans struggled Yun said ?We wanted to win the match and it was a really difficult game to play.?
India also lost its opening match 2-0 to Tajikistan but their performance was considered poor overall which gives the Philippines some degree of confidence going into the crucial match which will be telecast "Live" by ABS-CBN Studio 23 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with well-known commentator Bob Guerrero and injured Azkals team captain Ali Borromeo who provided some interesting insights in the game against North Korea handling the coverage.
German coach Michael Weiss who was commended for the manner in which he marshaled his players against the North Koreans realizes that while the task against India may seem less daunting it will by no means be an easy game as Weiss himself has admitted.
The Indians, just like the Philippine Azkals realize they must win and are expected to go flat out from the kickoff.
In a telephone conversation with the Manila Standard from Kathmandu, coach Weiss said "We have a definite chance and will go for a win.? The coach marked his birthday with the players who he said ?gave me a nice gift and made a small joke. They are in good spirits now. We are concentrated and had a good analysis last night of our opponents and we know what?s expected to happen later on.?
Weiss told us he will start with sparkplug Chieffy Calidong who came on only in the second half in the Azkals opening game and was muscled out by the tough and superbly fit North Koreans who relished playing at a 1,400 meter high altitude with the temperature hovering around 19 degrees.
Weiss said Calidong is coming into the team and will play up front with Phil (Younghusband) while Angel (Guirado) will come on the left side, Rob Gier will go back in the central defense and Juan Guirado will play alongside Mulders in the holding midfield position. ? He said Mulders who was tired after a long trip from Europe had to be pulled out in the second half in the DPR match ?but is much better now.?
He said the Indians generally play ?many long balls and run after the balls. They try to press early but not 100 percent. We have to be a little bit aware of the difficulties of our back four. When the Indians come early we need to stay really composed, play the ball safe and then try to exploit the space they give us.?
Weiss said that "with Calidong behind the top we can assert our offensive set up with the five players who should run the show with Mulders, Calidong, Phil, James (Younghusband) and Guirado.?
He said the Indians can be tough and he expects ?a very close battle but I?m hoping for a victory? which would send the Azkals into a do-or-die semi final qualifier against Tajikistan provided they too lose to North Korea.
Prolific goalscorer Phil Younghusband and midfielder Angel Guirado who both had chances of scoring against the North Koreans but were a little unlucky not to hit the back of the net are again expected together with Calidong to pose a threat to the Indian defense.
James Younghusband is again certain to be a tower of strength both in offense and defense while the long throw-ins of Jason Sabio are expected to rattle the Indian defenders.
Photo: Azkal's Chieffy Caligdong.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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