Nothing to lose in semifinals

KATHMANDU – With a milestone semifinal appearance in the AFC Challenge Cup, the Philippine Azkals feel they now have a lighter burden on their shoulders as they proceed to the higher stages of the tournament they were not expected to reach.

“We have nothing to lose now,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss, whose unheralded wards hacked out back-to-back wins over former champions India (2-0) and Tajikistan (2-1) to complete their fairytale ride to the semis in Group B.

Not given much attention in the pre-tournament, the Azkals will face off with Group A topnotcher Turkmenistan (seven points on 2-1-0) in the knockout duel tomorrow. Group B No. 1 and defending champion North Korea (nine points, 3-0-0) meets Group A second seed Palestine (seven points, 2-1-0) in the other semis pairing.

“We can play with a free mind and play very, very offensively. Also, we’ll risk more now because now it’s about winning, not about defending, maybe in the final, if we reach the final. A little bit different but still we need to approach another opponent and try to already win goals early in the half,” Weiss said.

But the Azkals will be handicapped by the suspension of co-skipper James Younghusband and Angel Guirado due to accumulation of yellow cards while defender Jason Sabio and midfielder Juani Guirado are nursing minor knee and thigh injury, respectively.

James and Angel were booked during Tuesday’s game with Tajikistan, their second caution of the tourney.

“We were trying to tell the players about that (staying away from caution) but it’s a do-or-die match. The referee was too strict, they were not ‘cardable’ offense but anyway, they were given and we can’t do anything about that now.

“So we will just have to adjust with the materials that we have. But we’re still quite formidable with the players we have out there. We’ll make adjustments,” said Palami.

Fil-Dutch Jason de Jong, who joined the team late and sat out the last two games, is expected to get his time on the field as well as Lexton Moy and Marwin Angeles.

“This is something we’re always going through, you know, players not coming even if they promise to come or come late or whatever. It affects the team in one way but we have to cope with it .

“The players available will do their best. We have fantastic spirit and the players are performing over their level and they will go through this even without these two players, no doubt,” said Weiss.

Overall, both Weiss and Palami like the Azkals’ chances against 166th-ranked Turkmenistan.


“I think we have a big chance against Turkmenistan to reach the finals,” the German mentor said.

Palami added: “We now have a system that somehow works for us – more of defensive but quick to pounce on offensive opportunities. I think if we stick to that kind of game, considering players that are here, then we stand a good chance of going to the finals and that is always the dream that we wanted to achieve,” Palami said.


philstar