Sans two aces, Azkals battle Turkmen side

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

KATHMANDU—On the brink of another milestone, the Philippine Azkals stand undaunted. The Azkals, buoyed by a renewed belief in their abilities, take on 2010 finalist Turkmenistan in the semifinals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup today at the Dashrath Stadium here.
Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. (4:45 p.m. in Manila) with the Philippines gunning for a first finals stint in the tournament where it achieved little success in the past.
Defending champion North Korea, which defeated the Philippines, 2-0, last Friday, is favored to prevail in the other semifinal duel with Group A runner-up Palestine. The winners will clash for the title and the AFC Asian Cup berth that awaits the champion on Monday.
The Azkals will miss two of their attacking linchpins in James Younghusband and Angel Guirado, who scored the game-winner in the do-or-die duel with Tajikistan, 2-1, last Tuesday. Younghusband also assisted on the two goals his younger brother Phil scored in the 2-0 triumph over India.
Guirado and Younghusband will sit out the match because of suspension for accumulating two yellow cards in the group stage, while another player, defender Jason Sabio, is doubtful because of a knee injury.
“It’s unfortunate that we have two of our main players out due to suspension, but I think—and I have strong belief on the players that will be asked to step in—will play beyond their potential just because they know what’s at stake in the match,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami.
“We have every right to be confident going into the game,” said Phil Younghusband, who is one of the tournament’s leading scorers with three goals.
“Thinking about it now, we are better conditioned because we were able to play North Korea in the group stage and not in the semifinals.”
The Azkals returned to training yesterday afternoon after enjoying lunch of Filipino dishes like adobo, pancit bihon and puto prepared by a small group of Filipinos in this landlocked city.
In their only meeting in the 2009 tournament, Turkmenistan crushed the Philippines, 5-0, in the Maldives, but some of the remnants of that side believe that the Azkals have a better team now.
“There’s nothing special with Turkmenistan,” said striker Ian Araneta. “The time when we faced them, our preparation wasn’t that good.”
Nonetheless, defender Rob Gier, who helps coach Michael Weiss with scouting, believes the Azkals are in for a rough outing against a team that defeated host Nepal, 3-1, and Maldives, 3-0.
“I think it will obviously be a close game,” said Gier. “I expect them to play like Tajikistan with a slightly different formation. They are going to be a physical team, but I dont see any reason why we cant win.”
Weiss believes that playing free from the burden of expectations will serve the team in good stead.
“We have nothing to lose,” said Weiss. “We can play with a free mind and we can play on the offensive now.”
Without Guirado and James Younghusband, Weiss could recall Misagh Bahadoran and Marwin Angeles back into the starting eleven. Jason de Jong, a defensive midfielder, could also make his first appearance in the tournament because of the duo’s absence.


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