MANILA, Philippines – After two straight draws against ASEAN rivals, the Philippine Azkals (149th) are hard-pressed to score a convincing triumph against a Guam side (194th) that comes into tomorrow’s Fifa international friendly in Bacolod City as a heavy underdog.
"I think we need to win big against Guam to justify the strength of the team we have,” Azkals ace striker Phil Younghusband said during yesterday's press conference in Bacolod.
The Azkals will parade nearly a full-strength team with Europe-based stalwarts like Dennis Cagara, Jerry Lucena, Denis Wolf, Neil Etheridge, and Paul Mulders on hand once more to hook up with Phl-based aces like Phil and James Younghusband.
The team, with a cast that's probably one of the strongest assembled, reels from a 2-2 stalemate with Indonesia last Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Football. Earlier, playing without Etheridge (suspension) and the Younghusbands (prior commitment), the Azkals fought Malaysia to a scoreless draw at the Tigers' turf.
“We will try to attack early, put them under pressure without neglecting our defensive duties,” said coach Michael Weiss.
The Younghusbands and Etheridge, who all came in as subs in the Indonesia fixture, are expected to start against the Guam Matao, who will have a familiar face in its roster in Kaya midfielder Jonahan Romero.
Highly-touted Fil-Danish Cagara and Lucena, who last week suited up less than 24 hours after arriving in Manila, are also fancied to be in the First 11 for the hosts that will miss co-skipper Chieffy Caligdong due to his red card in the last outing.
Phl XI will have an extra motivation in playing at the Panaad pitch, the birthplace of the Azkalsmania.
Philstar
I hope its about time, that the AZKALS have to prove someting to our Filipino spectators that the football in the Philippines had been developed and grown with the support and dedications of our FIL-FORS and HOMEGROWN players..
ReplyDeleteLet us be united as one nation to show to the world and to our ASIAN neighbors countries that we are the team to watch this coming SUZUKI CUP 2012...GOODLUCK AZKALS GOD BLESS PFF management
Sana, dagdan ang ilaw sa PANAAD STADIUM, last game ng AZKALS vs MONGOLIA ang dilim ng paligid kahit sa football field ang dilim, sana mas maliwanag na buong paligid ng PANAAD, paikutan ng ilaw ang buong stadium sana lilitaw ang mga KAHOLEROS AT KAHOLERA....ole.ole,ole,ole,ole,ole,ole,ole,ole,...from OFW-KSA
ReplyDelete" June 12,2012 PHILVOCS- magnitude-5.1quake rocks Cotabato, aftershocks to follow " ang nabasa ko after sa laro ng AZKALS vs Guam sa PANAAD, pupunta sila sa COTABATO for football clinic,..
ReplyDeleteHEY Guys,lagi na lang kayong sinusundan ng lindol.ganoon na ba yata kayo ka popular,....its a sign that philippine Football are moving ...ASIAN CUP, ...WORLD CUP...sana how i wish...
SANA yong magnitude yon na lang ang magiging score PHILIPPINE AZKALS VS GUAM MATAO 5-1 final score.....sana.....Good luck AZKALS..be proud being FILIPINO ....Go AZKALS GO.....
Go Matao, this little Island has alot less to choose from unlike other countries, but they've got Heart and their Bringing it straight form GUAM.
ReplyDeleteHi Eric Dimzon. How come you are still single? Every chick you ask out turn you down? Theyre too picky? It's their loss, right my friend?
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