by Dennis Gasgonia and Ira Pedrasa, abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – The second leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between the Philippine Azkals and the Sri Lankan Brave Reds at the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila has started.
The Azkals, who were held by the Brave Reds to a 1-1 draw last Wednesday, can advance to the second round if they either beat their opponents or hold them to goalless draw in their home turf.
The Azkals' starting 11 are Neil Etheridge, Aly Borromeo, Rob Gier, Stephan Schrock, Anton del Rosario, Manuel Ott, James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Paul Mulders, Phil Younghusband and Angel Guirado.
Sri Lanka's starting line-up, meanwhile, is composed of Manjula Fernando, Bandara Warakagoda, Rohana Ruwanthilake, Dilki Kumara, Sanka Dhanushka, Fazul Rahuman, Chathura Gunarathna, Kolitha Lankesara, Nimal Antoni, M. Izzadeen, Shafraz Kaiz
The Nationals are wearing their blue uniforms while the Sri Lankans are in white.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami is confident that his boys will pull off a better performance on their home pitch, which is in better condition compared to Sri Lanka's Sugathadasa Stadium.
Palami said the well-conditioned pitch will help the Azkals in their offense-to-defense switch, which they could not do in Sri Lanka's uneven field.
“We were unable to do that in Sri Lanka because of their uneven field but here we have better chances of pulling that off,” he said.
He added all of the Azkals can suit up for the match, even the those slightly injured in the away game like Filipino-British Phil Younghusband.
“Lalaro sila… They’re fit and ready,” said Palami.
The Filipino will have to keep the Brave Reds from scoring to make sure that they advance to the next round of the qualifiers against higher-ranked Kuwait.
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