by Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals nearly pulled off an upset victory over reigning Suzuki Cup champion Malaysia during their international friendly at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Wednesday night.
The Azkals, who looked confident after their 10-day training camp in Dubai, scored a goal against their Malaysian opponents before conceding one late in the game.
The Filipinos played aggressively in the first half, attacking the goal with consistency while forcing the Malaysians into defensive mode.
In the 34th minute, Filipino-German striker Denis Wolf pulled the Azkals ahead, 1-0, with a diving header off Jason Sabio’s long throw.
The Filipinos had 9 shots on the goal by the end of the first half, which forced the Tigers to regroup.
The Azkals appeared headed to the victory when Malaysia’s Ahmad Shakir Mohd Ali scored the equalizer a minute into injury time.
The friendly game is part of the Azkals’ preparation for the coming 2012 Challenge Cup in Nepal this March.
“Overall I think we all can be pleased against a very solid and strong team with a good style of football play... we were a bit unlucky in the end but overall I think we fared well,” said Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss.
Weiss noted the efforts of Wolf, Sabio, midfielder Lexton Moy and Fil-British keeper Neil Etheridge.
“Neil is solid as we know, Lexton Moy very good, Jason Sabio very solid... but the whole team played with big fighting spirit. Denis Wolf, just 2 days in the country, almost playing 90 minutes and scoring the goal. Could've been the hero,” said the Azkals coach.
Even Malaysian coach Datuk Rajagobal commended the Filipinos for giving them a spirited fight.
He said the Azkals played a physical game and that his players were forced to adapt.
“Both of the teams played well, both played with hunger and determination. I also give credit to the Philippines, I think it was a satisfying match,” said Rajagobal.
Team manager Dan Palami said the fact that they drew with one of the best teams in Southeast Asia says a lot about the Azkals.
“I commend the boys,” said Palami. “It's Malaysia, they're Suzuki Cup champions. They’ve been playing against teams that were really high quality.”
The Azkals will be having just a day’s rest before flying to Nepal for the Challenge Cup.
Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta said the team will be leaving for Kathmandu on March 2 to acclimatize in time for their Challenge Cup campaign.
Kathmandu has an elevation of about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level.
Weiss said the Filipinos should get used to the high altitude before facing defending champion North Korea on March 9.
This will be followed with games against India (March 11) and Tajikistan (March 13).
The games will be aired live on Studio 23.
"We've always wanted to go toe the semis [of the Challenge Cup],” said Palami. “This is the first time the Philippines have actually entered the final stage and we are actually the lowest ranked team among the teams that qualified.”
“We want, just like what we did in the Suzuki Cup to reach the semifinals at least. If we can make it, that would be a dream come true."
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Palami : "We've always wanted to go toe the semis [of the Challenge Cup],” said Palami. “This is the first time the Philippines have actually entered the final stage and we are actually the lowest ranked team among the teams that qualified.”
ReplyDeleteNo that is not true Palami ! Palestine is ranked 162 and Maldives ranked 175
yeah, and I even think Palestine is quite a strong side.....they won vs. Azerbaidshan 2-0 (our opponent India lost 3-0 vs. Azerbaidshan).....so in case of a possible semi-final (which I doubt we will manage) there will be waiting tough teams
DeleteYou forget that we drew Palestine the last time we met.
DeleteHe probably meant lowest ranked among our group?
DeleteMalaysia finally able to climatized with the ugly-below standard pitch of Rizal stadium. The ugly pitch prevented the Malaysians from playing good football. I hope next time if the Philippines will invite foreign teams again, they should fix their football field first. Embarassing....
ReplyDeletetry the perfect pitch at panaad.
Deletei second the motion..
DeleteTsk, nakakahiya!
at mas maraming tao na manonood sa panaad, sa rizal hindi napuno yung stadium
Deleteyup! the best pitch i saw in the Philippines is at Pana-ad. it can also accommodate more fans, and of course it can drew more fanatics from the Visayas, Mindanao and Luzon as well.
ReplyDeleteJust in case another international firndlies will played here in the Philippines, Pana-ad will be the best place!
Good luck guys!!!
totally agree, sa lahat puro nlng taga luzon ang nkaka nood nang mga concerts and games, dito naman sa visayas, advantage pa para sa mga taga mindanao
DeleteNonong Araneta has already spilled the beans, RMS will be converted into artificial pitch hopefully by June, he said in the interview.
Deleteconverting the current RMS field to artificial pitch is great news! but until then, we should look for alternative playing venue if we are to host important matches. it's a shame the malaysians partly blame our horrendous pitch for the result of the match.
DeleteEnough already with this Panaad is the perfect place BS!! Mind you, Panaad has a SMALLER CAPACITY than the RMS, so no shit its easier to fill up!
ReplyDeleteTry having 4-6 league games at the Panaad every week and lets see if its still the "perfect pitch" to you people! It really isn't any better!!
At the same time, going to the Panaad which is obviously in Bacolod is a bit of a hassle... a bit too secluded and that's a nightmare when organizing events!
I'm not denying that you aren't passionate people, about football for example, I'm sure you people are, but don't go bitching around claiming that you've got the best this or that or you're more passionate only because your location isn't being considered for such events. If you have these kinds of issues then take it up with the PFF or your local FA (Neg. Occ. FA for example) or even your local government for not making your location more attractive for football events or concerts or whatever! Like I said, just don't around claiming you have "the perfect pitch" or any other kind of BS, it just make you look like total twats!
we have lots of football field which is of good quality, that even university and city competition dont need to use the panaad stadium. we dont rely only in panaad, not like schools in manila which they overuse the RMS. as youvd said, theres 4-6 games in RMS, and thats why it looks trash. then why the hell push themselves playing in trash field even they know theres alternate locations which is maintained. smaller capacity? then tell me the highest attendance that the RMS had?
Deletecan i interrupt w/ your conversation? RMS can hold 13,000 viewers while Pana-ad cand hold 25,000.
DeleteInternational friendlies were held at Pana-ad Stadium last year when 3rd division teams from London played against local teams. A Japanese likewise played at the Pana-ad. Tune-up games between Manila based teams and local teams are played at the Pana-ad.
Aside from its capacity, the pirch at Pana-ad are better and bigger.
sounds like you've never been to bacolod. the reason why panaad is seldom used is because the city alone has a lot of quality football fields, not counting those of the colleges and universities and neighboring cities. there are games still played at panaad but the field is regularly maintained by the provincial gov't. (try listening to back four bums of bleachers brew ep. 9)
ReplyDeleteBoth RMS and Panaad suck for a nation's representative stadium. We just need a new stadium. Until then, i don't want to invite world class NTs or clubs to PH for friendlies. Just too embarrassing...
ReplyDeleteI just don't understand the deal with the stadiums. Stop with the "embarrassing" crap you all are saying. I don't think you realize that Philippines is a poor country. Philippines just doesn't have that extra pocket money to build a whole new stadium, like you people think they do. The government is corrupt, poverty is everywhere, and in the list of things to prioritize, I doubt a new stadium is at the top. For now, make do with what you've got and be happy about it. At least there is a stadium.
ReplyDeleteAnd to that person above who blamed the Rizal stadium as the cause of the Malaysians not playing great football, here is what I think: a good football player can adapt to any situation. Blaming a football field is just plain sad and shows weakness.
My gosh, why even discuss this unimportant subject? You whiners about your Panaad and Rizal stadium crap sounds like pathetic losers.
This. If these people really want a "quality" playing surface, then why not recommend BGC? Pfft.
Delete