abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals are expecting a tough match against a taller Palestinian team when they resume their Challenge Cup group stage matches on Wednesday.
ABS-CBN Sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo said in Mornings@ANC that football coach Hans Michael Weiss pushed the team hard during their practice on Tuesday as they prepare for their game against the Palestinian “Al Fusan” (The Fighters).
“On their rest day on Tuesday they practiced a lot of moves, although the team that played in the game versus Myanmar was really pushed. They did a lot of recovery workout,” said Castillejo.
The Azkals had their training at 3:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. in Manila) to get used to the Myanmar heat.
“We have a lot of Fil-European players who are coming in and also not used to the heat. Plus the team had also come from negative temperature in Mongolia,” she said.
She added that Azkals Filipino-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge spent extra time working on goal blocking to make sure that no goal attempt will get past him this time.
The Filipino booters are scheduled to face the Palestinians at 3:30 p.m. Myanmar time.
Tall but slow
Castillejo described the Palestinian squad as a tall and experienced team, which defeated the Bangladesh Bengal Tigers in a separate group stage match, 2-0, last Monday.
“The Fighters”, however, are slower than the Myanmar White Angels that held the Azkals to a 1-1 draw.
Castillejo said Weiss hopes the Azkals can take advantage of the Palestinians’ slower pace.
“They're hoping to be able to outrun them, also make quick plays. Hopefully their aggressive play will be too much for the Palestinians,” said Castillejo.
Recuperating
Some of the Azkals are still recuperating from the slight injuries they have incurred during their game versus Myanmar.
Castillejo reported that:
Chieffy Caligdong was kicked in the hamstring;
Angel Aldeguer has cramps aside also from a slight muscle strain in his hamstring and calf;
Roel Gener has a hurt ankle;
Yancy Bersales has slight wounds in his neck and cheek (accidental kick from Myanmar goalkeeper); and
William Espinosa also has some wound on his shoulder.
She, however, said the Filipino squad is determined to beat the Palestinians.
The Azkals need to win 2 games in the group stage to secure a slot in the Challenge Cup tournament proper in 2012.
So far, they have a 1-1 draw with Myanmar.
Expected to make up the Azkals' starting lineup versus the Palestinian “Al Fusan” are:
Ray Jonsson
Aly Borromeo
Rob Gier
Anton del Rosario
Jerry Lucena
Simon Greatwich
James Younghusband
Angel Aldeguer
Chieffy Caligdong
Ian Araneta
Yancy Bersales
Studio 23 to air PH-Myanmar game
Studio 23 will air the Philippine Azkals' match against Myanmar on Wednesday night, ABS-CBN Sports said.
In its official Facebook page, ABS-CBN Sports said Monday's match will be shown on the free TV channel on Wednesday at 10:15 p.m.
A replay of the match will be shown on Thursday at 3 p.m. also on Studio 23.
ABS-CBN Sports, however, said the airing is still subject to some issues.
It stressed that the video quality of the match "is far from the best as it was shot by Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV)."
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