MANILA, Philippines - As the Philippine Azkals look forward to the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 in November in Malaysia and Thailand, they are also hoping to get a favorable draw in the Group Stage of the tourney
The Azkals, who made their star-making semifinal stint in the 2010 edition, have been seeded into the main competition on Nov. 24-Dec. 1 along with Vietnam, Indonesia, defending titlist and host Malaysia, co-host Thailand and Singapore.
Two more from the ranks of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor Leste will join the seeded nations in the final phase following the Qualifying Round on Oct. 5-13 in Myanmar.
For the Group Stage, the eight will be divided into two, the composition of which will be determined during the official draw on Wednesday in Bangkok.
“Of course, the host will be one of the hardest to play. Vietnam is also one of the top contenders, always is. Maybe the likes of Malaysia and Indonesia will suit our style of play. Also Myanmar and Singapore, physically, we’re up to their level so they’ll be a good matchup for us,” said Azkals captain Aly Borromeo.
“Based on ranking, I’d rather be with Singapore, the host, probably Malaysia, and one from the group that will go through the qualifiers – Myanmar, East Timor or Laos,” Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta said, for his part.
The PFF and executives of Suzuki Philippines, president Satoshi Uchida, formally launched the Suzuki Cup 2012 yesterday at the federation’s office, also kicking off the Azkals’ upcoming quest.
Also present were Suzuki Philippines GM-automobile sales and marketing division Shuzo Hoshikura, GM-Motorcycle sales and marketing division Eiji Kobayashi, and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, who all renewed their commitment to Phl football.
“As a company committed to local and global sports, Suzuki is once again proud to be part of yet another anticipated event,” said Uchida. “We hope to inspire more and more able and athletic Filipinos to take up the sport and be like our national team, who showed to the world what the Filipino determination, hard work, passion and discipline can do.”
Speaking for the government, Garcia reiterated the PSC’s 100 percent support.
“As a matter of fact, we’re about to sign with the PFF an agreement for 25 years for the use of Rizal as a football stadium in the Philippines,” said Garcia, referring to the projected conversion of Rizal into an international standard artificial turf under Fifa’s $500,000 Goal Project.
The Rizal, he added, should be ready to serve as home venue for the Azkals if they reach the Suzuki Cup’s home and away, two-leg semis knockout stages. The semifinals are slated Dec. 8-9 and Dec. 12-13, and the finals are scheduled Dec. 19 (first leg) and 22 (second leg).
“We’re really raring to put up a good show. We’re now seeded so expectations are a little higher this time around. But we’re more than up to it; we want to show what we can do,” said Borromeo, who was with Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta and Misagh Bahadoran.
Training camps in the US, Middle East and Japan and friendlies against Indonesia or Vietnam are in the pipeline for the Azkals.
“The PFF will do everything to prepare the team,” said Araneta.
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I think Myanmar and Laos will qualify. Myanmar is tougher, no doubt. Give us Laos.
ReplyDeleteAs for the two hosts, i'd want Thailand. Not that they are weaker than Malaysia, well actually Thailand can easily be considered as the most consistent team in the region despite their poor performance in 2010, which they proved again in 2014 WCQ where they were the only ASEAN team that picked up some points in the third round. However, one thing i massively take into account is the fact that they are the only team that haven't actually experienced the "new" Azkals. Malaysia on the other hand are now fully aware of our capicity and their coach is extremely careful of us, which i think will get them more prepared tactically and individually against us.
And now one more team among Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore, and i'd face Singapore. They're seemingly having hard time to make the generational shift. Best players are getting old, young players are not as good. Though Indonesia had spent more horrible time for a while due to political problems and breakaway league, which now reportedly are solved, i believe they will take their time to make a strong team until AFF Cup, probably with several foreign-indon reinforcements. As for Vietnam, well i'm not really scared of them but still Singapore looks easier.
To me therefore, Azkals-Thailand-Singapore-Laos would be the ideal grouping.
Call me pesimistic or whatever but I think the Azkals won't be able to repeat their 2010 success.....like in the last friendlies vs. Malaysia and Indonesia they were not able to get over a draw and against the Malays just with luck (poor finishing qualities). And the team makes mistakes in the key situations (which costs us the entrance to the Challenge cup final and resulted in 'just' a draw with Indonesia). Another fact is that some of our euro based players won't be available for the Suzuki cup.....so it will be a surprise to me when they make to the semi final.....
ReplyDeleteIt's not being pessimistic at all! It's called being realistic aka having a brain! There are way too many over optimistic people. But seriously, when was the last time a minnow overachieved and repeated the feat at the following edition of the same tournament?!
DeleteI agree for above comment, the new AZKALS never played Thailand and I want them to stop downgrading us until now they still believe that we are whipping boys because we still don't have a professional league not like them that their Thai premier league is the current # 1 in ASEAN, even some ex manchester united players are playing for their league.
ReplyDeleteI've been following the azkals for the past year and a half and from what I can observe, we tend to do better in tournaments than friendlies. As I remember, our NT went to middle east to have three practice games amongst other teams, and we didn't really fare well there. I was actually quite disappointed as those three matches was designed to foresee the AFC Challenge Cup. Therefore, I was not expecting us to reach the semifinals. But we did. Watching their tourney matches live really opens the window to see the hunger from the Azkals. Whilst watching their friendly matches can often prove to be quite boring and lackluster. I know now not to expect too much from friendlies, but to keep and eye out for tourneys.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there are big potholes on the way, some of them could be:
1) Over-confidence. The team might prepare less if they get a good draw. This could be bad as other teams are preparing their best.
2) Bad Draw. To not even have a chance in the beginning would be a killer.
3) Lack of foreign-based players. They add the twist in Azkals matches; they offer a unique addition and missing them would inflict major consequences.
It is right to be realistic, but it proves good to also have hope. Matches are won by desire. Often times, the team who wants it the most gets it. As fans we really can't do much but to support.
"2) Bad Draw."
ReplyDeleteWhether people know it or not, it's a fact that we're still minnows and therefore there really no such thing as a "favorable/good draw".
"It is right to be realistic, but it proves good to also have hope."
Nothing wrong with having hope. But people still mix thing like that with having over the top expectations. More so when you have people like the fat ass himself Palami always yapping on creating hype and setting the targets in certain tournaments as if he was the one handling the team. In this case, he already came out and said the target is to reach the finals! Ridiculous!!
Suzuki is quite a challenge cup and I hope that they can have great games. At least they have it hard.
ReplyDelete