25 November 2014

Big blow to Azkals as Juani Guirado injury could sideline him for remainder of AFF Suzuki Cup

From: Karlo Sacamos

HANOI — The Philippine men’s football team may have won against Indonesia to clinch a semifinal berth in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, but the Azkals is expected to miss a defensive stalwart the rest of the tournament due to an injury. Starting center-back Juani Guirado suffered a pulled a hamstring on his right knee early in the 4-0 shutout that could sideline him for rest of the competition.

Azkals coach Thomas Dooley expects the Filipino-Spanish defender to be absent for “two to three weeks” but fears worse. “It could even be four weeks,” the German-American mentor said of Guirado, who skipper Rob Gier replaced just 14 minutes into the match. The first leg of the semifinals kicks off in the first week of December and the first match of the finals set on December 17. Dooley said super-sub turned starter Patrick Reichelt also twisted his knee, “so we have to find out how bad that is.” “Definitely we will change some players,” Dooley added. “Players are going to get a chance to play. But I have faith in everyone we have here. Everyone will get a chance to play, but it doesn’t mean we don’t want to win.”

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/azkals/news/azkals-zuzuki-cup-juani-guirado-hamstring-injury-philippines-aff-football

6 comments:

  1. He only played 7% of the game and they won 4-0. how's that a big blow?

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    1. He played 90 mins the first game and not sure how you calculated 7%

      Depth is just as important especially since Rob had a slight hamstring strain against Cambodia. If anything happens to them then you have to play a Rota or Lucena out of their natural position where they have been performing very solid.

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  2. He is a starter

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  3. How about Reichelt? He banged his right knee.

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  4. can we still add one defender since the roster has one slot left open at the start of the tournament?

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    1. Maybe that is reserved for Muller (GK). He will be available in the semis.

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