By Olmin Leyba - (The Philippine Star)
KATHMANDU – Either the Philippine Azkals book a storied place in the AFC Challenge Cup semifinals or, as in past national teams, be consigned to its dustbin.
The Azkals try to rewrite history as they face 2006 winners Tajikistan in a do-or-die elims match for the second semis berth in Group B at the Halchowk Stadium here.
The Azkals, the obvious underdogs in the Group B competitions that featured champions of the first three editions, stayed in the running for a historic Last 4 appearance by bundling out 2008 titlist India, 2-0, tying Tajikistan at second with three points (1-0-1). Phl XI earlier bowed to defending champion North Korea, 0-2.
“Our goal is still the same – reach the semis – and to do, that we have to beat Tajikistan,” Azkals team manager Dan Palami said on the eve of the crucial match set 3 p.m. at the Halchowk Stadium in this chilly mountain nation (5:15 p.m. in Manila).
The Azkals and the Persian Lions are disputing the second and last semis berth in Group B with the Chollima already in the Last 4 with six points (2-0-0). With the same card and goal difference, Phl and Tajikistan will have to settle the issue via a victory today, a penalty shootout set if they end up with a draw.
“It’s going be a do-or-die. Not the first time we’re in this position and I know the players can pull through with it. I know we have the talent to get to the semis and I just hope we are able to find the rhythm much earlier in the game so that we won’t be as threatened like we were last night,” Palami said, referring to the India game, where the Blue Tigers managed to threaten the defense with some good shots.
The Azkals are on a high after beating India, moving on the brink of a cherished semis slot.
“I hope the team can get confidence from this victory,” said coach Michael Weiss, adding they need to play smart against Tajiskistan. “The smart team in this matchup will succeed to next round.”
The Azkals are in the AFC Challenge Cup Final-8 for the first time ever after hurdling the qualifying playoffs and qualifying group eliminations last year. They look to rewrite history by advancing the semis of the meet, and possibly the championship itself.
“We’re confident,” said ace striker Phil Younghusband, who scored a brace in the win over India, a result the Azkals view as a confidence builder.
“It’s going to be a difficult and tough game. But we have our confidence on the team that we can get a good result and (take) another step in Phl football, a history maker. It’s a big, big deal so we’ll prepare the same we did for the other game,” he added.
Standing in their way is Tajikistan, a team ranked nine notches higher than 156th-ranked Phl. The Persian Lions’ Bosnian coach Kemal Alispahi, through an interpreter, expressed confidence they can overcome the “unsophisticated” Azkals.
“Both team have shown quite a good performance but I believe we’ll be able to beat the Philippines and achieve the result we want,” said Alispahi, only on his 20th day as coach of Tajikistan after leaving Syrian club Al-Ittihad Aleppo.
“I would say Phl team, they’ve not played sophisticated system much but the coach uses what he has actually,” he observed. “The problem which they face is mostly playing defense but in offense they have a couple of good players. Definitely, we could face a lot of problem because of offense but I hope we can manage it.”
Phl custodian Neil Etheridge, who had made a number of fantastic saves against both North Korea and India, expressed confidence on the Azkals’ defense.
“I think the whole back four played well. I was very impressed. I knew coach wants to put Juani (Guirado) in holding midfield and Rob (Gier) back in defense. Rob is a great addition, picking up and knocking, he keeps a great line. Him and (Jason) Sabio are great team because Rob can dictate and tell Sabio where to go. And Sabio’s done really well,” Etheridge said.
“I just wish to improve the midfield. At points, we got a lot better, we kept the ball a lot better. Still at times we looked for pass that wasn’t really on or a pass that’s no 100 percent (precise),” he added.
Palami said their chances look good.
“We just have to play our game but establish the rhythm much earlier on so that we’re able to convert our chances and can create opportunities for the team. Our defense has been holding very well against other teams so far, even against North Korea. It will be tested again tomorrow (today) but hopefully our offensive threat can be converted into actual goals,” he said.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Azkals blank Indians, boost semis bid
By Olmin Leyba - (The Philippine Star)
The Philippine Azkals pounced on their best chance for a victory in the AFC Challenge Cup group stages, gaining from Phil Younghusband’s brace in a 2-0 conquest of India to boost their semis bid last night at the Dashrath Stadium.
Younghusband struck off a throw-in by Jason Sabio in the 10th minute and fired a looper off a feed from brother James in the 73rd as the Azkals (3 points on 1-0-1) forced a virtual KO match with Tajikistan (3 points, 1-0-1) for the second semis berth in Group B.
Defending champion North Korea took the first seat to the semifinals after thumping Tajikistan, 2-0, for six points on 2-0-0, over at the Halchowk Stadium in the Bagmati Zone.
“I’m very, very happy with the result although I feel we can play much, much better,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss, who took the W on his 52nd birthday.
The Azkals will gun for a dreamed-about Last-4 berth tomorrow as they cap their eliminations campaign against 2006 titlist Tajikistan.
“We are in the same position (with Tajikistan) and it might come to a shootout. So we have to be very careful and play smart against them,” said Weiss.
“I think we’ll have slight psychological advantage because Tajikistan came off a very challenging match (in a loss to North Korea) while we’re coming off a win (over India),” he added.
Working in tandem with teammates in two crucial sequences, Younghusband scored his 19th and 20th international goal for Phl in a morale-boosting triumph over the 2008 winners but currently rebuilding Blue Tigers.
“Fantastic, cool in front of the goal. That’s how we want him to be,” said Weiss of Younghusband.
It all started when Jason Sabio set up the first goal with a monster delivery that Younghusband wasted no time finishing.
Finding the ball in his area, Younghusband gamely rolled it in past Karanjit Singh, then danced into the sidelines as cheers from over 100 Filipinos engulfed the 56-year-old stadium surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
The star striker struck and danced anew in the 73rd after finishing a sequence started by Misagh Bahadoran from the left to his brother James, who gave a backpass that Phil made good on.
Weiss said a key adjustment in putting veteran defender Rob Gier in the back and Juani Guirado and Paul Mulders at holding midfield helped the Azkals’ cause.
Notes: Azkals coach Michael Weiss was presented with a mini-cake by the team in celebration of his 52nd birthday yesterday. Asked about his birthday wish, Weiss said: “You know what I want - to win the AFC Challenge Cup.”. If only that’s something the Azkals can get from a gift shop... Left in Manila as he’s still yet to fully recover from ACL, Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo is ding rah-rah for his teammates via social media. “Game day! Leave everything on that pitch today and take it to em boys!” he twitted on the day the Azkals faced a must-win situation against India. Borromeo is working as special analyst for Studio 23’s coverage of Phl XI’s campaign. “Sucks being injured and not playing but commentating with @bhobg333 (Bob Guerrero) is the closest I can get to being with the boys!”...To this day, Lydia de Vega still enjoys legend status in India. An Indian journalist asked about de Vega’s present whereabouts, recalling her exploits in the tracks and rivalry with Indian sprint queen PT Usha in the 1980s.
The Philippine Azkals pounced on their best chance for a victory in the AFC Challenge Cup group stages, gaining from Phil Younghusband’s brace in a 2-0 conquest of India to boost their semis bid last night at the Dashrath Stadium.
Younghusband struck off a throw-in by Jason Sabio in the 10th minute and fired a looper off a feed from brother James in the 73rd as the Azkals (3 points on 1-0-1) forced a virtual KO match with Tajikistan (3 points, 1-0-1) for the second semis berth in Group B.
Defending champion North Korea took the first seat to the semifinals after thumping Tajikistan, 2-0, for six points on 2-0-0, over at the Halchowk Stadium in the Bagmati Zone.
“I’m very, very happy with the result although I feel we can play much, much better,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss, who took the W on his 52nd birthday.
The Azkals will gun for a dreamed-about Last-4 berth tomorrow as they cap their eliminations campaign against 2006 titlist Tajikistan.
“We are in the same position (with Tajikistan) and it might come to a shootout. So we have to be very careful and play smart against them,” said Weiss.
“I think we’ll have slight psychological advantage because Tajikistan came off a very challenging match (in a loss to North Korea) while we’re coming off a win (over India),” he added.
Working in tandem with teammates in two crucial sequences, Younghusband scored his 19th and 20th international goal for Phl in a morale-boosting triumph over the 2008 winners but currently rebuilding Blue Tigers.
“Fantastic, cool in front of the goal. That’s how we want him to be,” said Weiss of Younghusband.
It all started when Jason Sabio set up the first goal with a monster delivery that Younghusband wasted no time finishing.
Finding the ball in his area, Younghusband gamely rolled it in past Karanjit Singh, then danced into the sidelines as cheers from over 100 Filipinos engulfed the 56-year-old stadium surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
The star striker struck and danced anew in the 73rd after finishing a sequence started by Misagh Bahadoran from the left to his brother James, who gave a backpass that Phil made good on.
Weiss said a key adjustment in putting veteran defender Rob Gier in the back and Juani Guirado and Paul Mulders at holding midfield helped the Azkals’ cause.
Notes: Azkals coach Michael Weiss was presented with a mini-cake by the team in celebration of his 52nd birthday yesterday. Asked about his birthday wish, Weiss said: “You know what I want - to win the AFC Challenge Cup.”. If only that’s something the Azkals can get from a gift shop... Left in Manila as he’s still yet to fully recover from ACL, Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo is ding rah-rah for his teammates via social media. “Game day! Leave everything on that pitch today and take it to em boys!” he twitted on the day the Azkals faced a must-win situation against India. Borromeo is working as special analyst for Studio 23’s coverage of Phl XI’s campaign. “Sucks being injured and not playing but commentating with @bhobg333 (Bob Guerrero) is the closest I can get to being with the boys!”...To this day, Lydia de Vega still enjoys legend status in India. An Indian journalist asked about de Vega’s present whereabouts, recalling her exploits in the tracks and rivalry with Indian sprint queen PT Usha in the 1980s.
Phil Younghusband scores two, Etheridge shines as Azkals shut out India Phil Younghusband scores two, Etheridge shines as Azkals shut out India
ROY MOORE - AMD/HS, GMA News
In Katmandu, Nepal, the Azkals overcame the distraction of a raging sexual harassment controversy involving the daughter of a former Philippine president to boot India out of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup and advance to a do-or-die match against favored Tajikistan.
Phil Younghusband provided a poweful demonstration of the Azkals' "brother act."
The younger of the ballyhooed English-Filipino sibling duo scored on both sides of halftime in the Azkals' 2-0 win over India, Sunday at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. Both goals were assisted by his Kuya James.
Now the Philippines and Tajikistan will compete for the second spot in the group to reach the semifinals. After beating India 2-0, Tajikistan lost to North Korea 2-0, the same scoreline as the Azkals. North Korea has won the group, whatever happens between them and India, while Tajikistan and the Philippines have exactly the same results against India and North Korea, crafting a do-or-die moment between the two countries on March 13.
A win for either nation would put them through while a draw would see both countries finish with four points. As they would end with the same goal difference too, the game would be decided by penalties and whoever advances will likely face the winner of Group A’s clash between Palestine and the Maldives.
The AFC Challenge Cup is known as a tournament for lower-ranked Asian national teams. Thus, traditional powerhouses Japan, South Korea, and China are not playing. The Philippines is ranked 156 by FIFA, India is at 158, and Tajikistan at 145. Defending champion North Korea is currently 111, while it's arch-enemy South Korea is at 30.
Phil's goals for the Philippines
The Philippines took control of the India match in the 10th minute with a Jason Sabio long throw being flicked on by James Younghusband to his brother Phil, who found the back of the net.
The trick was almost repeated soon after when Sabio threw in another long ball, and it fell kindly for Phil Younghusband but he blasted it this time. Usually playing on the wings for the Philippines, Chieffy Caligdong returned to the starting lineup in a more central role for the Azkals, as he fashioned the next chance.
Playing a great through ball for Phil Younghusband, the Loyola Meralco Sparks forward in the UFL raced onto the ball. Pitted against Karanjit Singh in the India goal, Younghusband shot low, the Indian goalkeeper pulled off a great save with his legs, knocking the ball wide. However, the referee didn’t see it and gave a goal kick instead of a corner.
India, meanwhile, looked a bit sluggish and couldn’t find their rhythm. Their best chance of the half came when Joaquim Abranches was found with a nice pass and he turned and shot at goal from the edge of the area. It was too close to Etheridge in goal though, and the Fulham keeper held the shot, mopping up all of India’s other chances afterwards.
In the second half, India started brighter and began passing the ball well, looking for quick attacks. Both sides though seemed to threaten most from the long throws, with Sabio and his Indian counterpart taking on a big role.
India’s best chance then fell just after the hour mark when a free-kick close to the Azkals’ area on the left wing was curled in. Joaquim Abranches glanced a header at goal but it just went wide.
Shortly afterwards the Azkals threatened with Misagh Bahadoran, who came on to protect the still-recovering Chieffy Caligdong, crossing for James Younghusband who controlled the ball but fired over from just inside the area. Minutes later, Paul Mulders went on a long surging run and ended up in India’s box from an acute angle, but he could only blast over as well.
The Azkals made the pressure count moments later when the Younghusband brothers combined again, playing a one-two which sent Phil Younghusband in on goal. Phil faced an acute angle but slotted into the top corner to double the Azkals’ lead in the 72nd minute, also becoming the joint-top tournament scorer at the same time with his brace.
Angel Guirado could have sent the Philippines further ahead when he was found on the edge of the area but his low shot was parried by the Indian goalkeeper before his next shot was deflected for a corner.
India almost pulled a goal back in the 87th minute when captain Sunil Chettri was fed a cut back from the right wing after the Indian winger beat his man. Chettri could only fire with the goal gaping though and the move summed up India’s campaign in the Challenge Cup as they limped out of the competition. The Azkals saw the game out to record their first ever win the final stage of the Challenge Cup to set up an all or nothing clash with Tajikistan.
It will be a tall order for the Philippines to draw or beat Tajikistan, a side that recently drew with North Korea 1-1 in a World Cup qualifier. The Central Asian side is eleven places above the Philippines (156) in the latest FIFA rankings at 145 in the world.
In Katmandu, Nepal, the Azkals overcame the distraction of a raging sexual harassment controversy involving the daughter of a former Philippine president to boot India out of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup and advance to a do-or-die match against favored Tajikistan.
Phil Younghusband provided a poweful demonstration of the Azkals' "brother act."
The younger of the ballyhooed English-Filipino sibling duo scored on both sides of halftime in the Azkals' 2-0 win over India, Sunday at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. Both goals were assisted by his Kuya James.
Now the Philippines and Tajikistan will compete for the second spot in the group to reach the semifinals. After beating India 2-0, Tajikistan lost to North Korea 2-0, the same scoreline as the Azkals. North Korea has won the group, whatever happens between them and India, while Tajikistan and the Philippines have exactly the same results against India and North Korea, crafting a do-or-die moment between the two countries on March 13.
A win for either nation would put them through while a draw would see both countries finish with four points. As they would end with the same goal difference too, the game would be decided by penalties and whoever advances will likely face the winner of Group A’s clash between Palestine and the Maldives.
The AFC Challenge Cup is known as a tournament for lower-ranked Asian national teams. Thus, traditional powerhouses Japan, South Korea, and China are not playing. The Philippines is ranked 156 by FIFA, India is at 158, and Tajikistan at 145. Defending champion North Korea is currently 111, while it's arch-enemy South Korea is at 30.
Phil's goals for the Philippines
The Philippines took control of the India match in the 10th minute with a Jason Sabio long throw being flicked on by James Younghusband to his brother Phil, who found the back of the net.
The trick was almost repeated soon after when Sabio threw in another long ball, and it fell kindly for Phil Younghusband but he blasted it this time. Usually playing on the wings for the Philippines, Chieffy Caligdong returned to the starting lineup in a more central role for the Azkals, as he fashioned the next chance.
Playing a great through ball for Phil Younghusband, the Loyola Meralco Sparks forward in the UFL raced onto the ball. Pitted against Karanjit Singh in the India goal, Younghusband shot low, the Indian goalkeeper pulled off a great save with his legs, knocking the ball wide. However, the referee didn’t see it and gave a goal kick instead of a corner.
India, meanwhile, looked a bit sluggish and couldn’t find their rhythm. Their best chance of the half came when Joaquim Abranches was found with a nice pass and he turned and shot at goal from the edge of the area. It was too close to Etheridge in goal though, and the Fulham keeper held the shot, mopping up all of India’s other chances afterwards.
In the second half, India started brighter and began passing the ball well, looking for quick attacks. Both sides though seemed to threaten most from the long throws, with Sabio and his Indian counterpart taking on a big role.
India’s best chance then fell just after the hour mark when a free-kick close to the Azkals’ area on the left wing was curled in. Joaquim Abranches glanced a header at goal but it just went wide.
Shortly afterwards the Azkals threatened with Misagh Bahadoran, who came on to protect the still-recovering Chieffy Caligdong, crossing for James Younghusband who controlled the ball but fired over from just inside the area. Minutes later, Paul Mulders went on a long surging run and ended up in India’s box from an acute angle, but he could only blast over as well.
The Azkals made the pressure count moments later when the Younghusband brothers combined again, playing a one-two which sent Phil Younghusband in on goal. Phil faced an acute angle but slotted into the top corner to double the Azkals’ lead in the 72nd minute, also becoming the joint-top tournament scorer at the same time with his brace.
Angel Guirado could have sent the Philippines further ahead when he was found on the edge of the area but his low shot was parried by the Indian goalkeeper before his next shot was deflected for a corner.
India almost pulled a goal back in the 87th minute when captain Sunil Chettri was fed a cut back from the right wing after the Indian winger beat his man. Chettri could only fire with the goal gaping though and the move summed up India’s campaign in the Challenge Cup as they limped out of the competition. The Azkals saw the game out to record their first ever win the final stage of the Challenge Cup to set up an all or nothing clash with Tajikistan.
It will be a tall order for the Philippines to draw or beat Tajikistan, a side that recently drew with North Korea 1-1 in a World Cup qualifier. The Central Asian side is eleven places above the Philippines (156) in the latest FIFA rankings at 145 in the world.
Full-strength Azkals still a dream
By Cedelf P. Tupas - Philippine Daily Inquirer
KATHMANDU—The Philippines still longs for the day when it will have all the best available talent in the team for a major tournament.
It didn’t happen here at the AFC Challenge Cup in this laidback city in the Himalayas. And team manager Dan Palami fears it may not happen soon.
The Azkals were scheduled to play against a tough India side last night at the Dashrath Stadium, hoping to keep their semifinal hopes alive after dropping their first assignment against North Korea, 0-2.
“Up to now, that has always been the biggest challenge,” said Palami of getting the likes of standouts Stephan Schrock, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara released from their respective foreign clubs to don the country’s colors.
“The players are actually willing to play, but the clubs will not let them,” said Palami, who remains hopeful that the Europe-based standouts will suit up for the next major tournament, the Suzuki Cup, late this year.
Schrock, who scored a memorable goal in the 1-3 home loss against Kuwait in the World Cup Qualifier, is one of the stars of Greuther Furth in the German second division.
The team is in a good position to vie for promotion to the prestigious Bundesliga and also made the semifinals of the German Cup.
Lucena is attached with Danish club Aarhus, which told the Philippine Football Federation in early February that they will not release the midfielder for the Challenge Cup.
Cagara recently signed with FSV Frankfurt, making his debut for the German second division club last Saturday.
Striker Denis Wolf plays in the fourth division in Germany and, although he could have been available for this tournament, he wasn’t able to participate because he didn’t get his Philippine passport before the deadline.
Clubs are only inclined to release players for Fifa international dates, and the Challenge Cup does not fall in the calendar.
Neil Etheridge of Fulham and Paul Mulders of ADO Den Haag in the Dutch first division were released for the tournament, boosting the Azkals’ artillery.
“The significance (of our tournaments) is sometimes lost in the clubs,” said Palami. “But we are taking steps so that they will be able to join tournaments that are actually in the Fifa calendar.
“We just have to resort to getting on the good side of the clubs to release players.”
Because of this problem, Palami said it is important to form a strong local-based core.
“We always have to work on the assumption that they are not coming (for major tournaments),” he said.
Another option is to convince Filipino players based abroad to play in the United Football League.
Palami signed up Rob Gier and the Spanish trio of Juan Luis Guirado, Angel Guirado and Carli de Murga to his UFL club, Global FC, so it can spend more time training with the national team.
“It’s difficult to absorb the costs,” Palami said. “I talked to (UFL chair) Santi (Araneta) about distributing the (European-based) players to different clubs so it would be easier for us to gather the core together.”
KATHMANDU—The Philippines still longs for the day when it will have all the best available talent in the team for a major tournament.
It didn’t happen here at the AFC Challenge Cup in this laidback city in the Himalayas. And team manager Dan Palami fears it may not happen soon.
The Azkals were scheduled to play against a tough India side last night at the Dashrath Stadium, hoping to keep their semifinal hopes alive after dropping their first assignment against North Korea, 0-2.
“Up to now, that has always been the biggest challenge,” said Palami of getting the likes of standouts Stephan Schrock, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara released from their respective foreign clubs to don the country’s colors.
“The players are actually willing to play, but the clubs will not let them,” said Palami, who remains hopeful that the Europe-based standouts will suit up for the next major tournament, the Suzuki Cup, late this year.
Schrock, who scored a memorable goal in the 1-3 home loss against Kuwait in the World Cup Qualifier, is one of the stars of Greuther Furth in the German second division.
The team is in a good position to vie for promotion to the prestigious Bundesliga and also made the semifinals of the German Cup.
Lucena is attached with Danish club Aarhus, which told the Philippine Football Federation in early February that they will not release the midfielder for the Challenge Cup.
Cagara recently signed with FSV Frankfurt, making his debut for the German second division club last Saturday.
Striker Denis Wolf plays in the fourth division in Germany and, although he could have been available for this tournament, he wasn’t able to participate because he didn’t get his Philippine passport before the deadline.
Clubs are only inclined to release players for Fifa international dates, and the Challenge Cup does not fall in the calendar.
Neil Etheridge of Fulham and Paul Mulders of ADO Den Haag in the Dutch first division were released for the tournament, boosting the Azkals’ artillery.
“The significance (of our tournaments) is sometimes lost in the clubs,” said Palami. “But we are taking steps so that they will be able to join tournaments that are actually in the Fifa calendar.
“We just have to resort to getting on the good side of the clubs to release players.”
Because of this problem, Palami said it is important to form a strong local-based core.
“We always have to work on the assumption that they are not coming (for major tournaments),” he said.
Another option is to convince Filipino players based abroad to play in the United Football League.
Palami signed up Rob Gier and the Spanish trio of Juan Luis Guirado, Angel Guirado and Carli de Murga to his UFL club, Global FC, so it can spend more time training with the national team.
“It’s difficult to absorb the costs,” Palami said. “I talked to (UFL chair) Santi (Araneta) about distributing the (European-based) players to different clubs so it would be easier for us to gather the core together.”
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