Azkals aim for big bite

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO


MANILA, Philippines — Philippine football team coach Michael Weiss would be happy if they could salvage a scoreless draw with Kuwait in the opening game of their World Cup second round qualifying match on July 23.

While Kuwait’s media officer Talal Al-Mehteb sees the highly-anticipated match as competitive yet ‘friendly,’ Weiss is expecting a war of attrition.

“Kuwait should be the hardest task for us so far,” Weiss said in a report posted on the FIFA website Wednesday. “They are a very strong team in Asia.”


Acknowledging Kuwaitis’ superior technical skills, Weiss said they will adopt a defensive-minded war strategy against Kuwait.


“But I would be happy if we get a scoreless draw. That’s what we’re going for,” Weiss added.


While admitting they are the heavy underdogs, Weiss, though, warned their rivals not to write them off.

“It is a rare chance to display our improvements so we are hoping to give out best. With solid preparation, good performance and perhaps an extra ounce of luck, it’s possible for us to turn the corner,” Weiss said.



The game is set at 7:30 p.m. (July 24, 12:30 a.m. Manila time) at the Qadisiya Sports Club in Hawally with the return leg slated in Manila five days later.


“This is a friendly match between two brothers in Asia, so I think it will be a friendly, pleasant atmosphere,” Al-Mehteb told the Kuwait Times Wednesday. “We are looking forward to winning, of course."


Al Mehteb said everything is almost ready as far as their hosting preparation for the first leg match is concerned, with game tickets expected to go on sale in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Philippine Football Federation is

expected to appeal the suspension of Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo and midfielder Stephan Schrock to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee after taking cue from the instruction of the Asian Football Confederation.


Borromeo and Schrock will be suspended in the first leg of the second round after getting their second yellow cards during the team’s first-round tie against Sri Lanka.

Manila Bulletin