16 December 2014

Palami and Dooley issue challenge to Azkals, say winning a trophy will prove them worthy of Fifa ranking

By Karlo Sacamos
THE Philippines may be on top of the Southeast Asian football scene on paper, but it remains to be seen on the field. That was proven once again in the Philippines recent Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup campaign where they missed out on a finals berth for third straight time, and team manager Dan Palami stressed that the ranking won’t matter without a title. “Until we get that Cup, we will be a potential Asean football power,” Palami said. “There’s nothing like the Cup to prove that we are indeed are a force to reckon with.” The top-ranked squad in the region at 128th, the Filipino booters bowed to lower-ranked squads in the AFF Cup. “Fifa ranking is never really a measurement of where a team is staying because you don’t play the same games,” Azkals coach Thomas Dooley admitted. “Some play more, some less, some against stronger teams, some against weaker teams.” Although they dispatched 159th-ranked Laos, 4-1, and 157th-ranked Indonesia, 4-0, in the group stage, the Azkals suffered disappointing defeats at the hands of 138th-ranked Vietnam, 3-0, in their final group stage match, and 144th-ranked Thailand, 3-0, on aggregate, in the semifinals. In a more glaring example last May, the Filipinos footballers lost 1-0 to a Palestine side that was ranked 165th in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup finale that enabled the country from the middle east to make a huge leap in the ranks to 94th. The Azkals also suffered a 3-2 extra-time loss to Myanmar in the Philippine Peace Cup virtual finale three months ago. The Azkals have played more friendlies compared to their Asean neighbors in preparation for the Suzuki Cup, greatly factoring in their current ranking. “But Fifa ranking doesn’t really show which team is better, which team is not,” Dooley said, although he believes the Filipino booters are on the right track. “The development we had so far is okay,” the German-American mentor said. “I think you can Bmove to a certain level where it’s a little bit more difficult.” “We just have to work harder to get to the next level,” he added. “Everything has to be a little bit faster. Every decision has to be made a little bit different and the urgency we have in the back has to be developed.”

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/azkals/news/azkals-fifa-ranking-aff-suzuki-cup-thomas-dooley-dan-palami
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20 comments:

  1. maybe they should try fixing relations with all their players, first!
    Shrock and Cagara included.

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  2. Include De Jong because the story that came out in the media is not the exact reason that he left. We learn from news that he left because of his family but what many don't know is that de Jong left due to Dooley's inconsistent and unprofessional decision making. Jason was professional enough not to include Dooley for the reason the he wants to avoid the criticism.

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  3. “Everything has to be a little bit faster. Every decision has to be made a little bit different and the urgency we have in the back has to be developed.” Dooley is so good in front of the media but poor in tactics and strategy if I may say. One example is the game during Thailand in the second leg during the second half where the azkals goes forward with its right and full back in the middle and defending third of the opponent. Thailand obviously sat deep in its half inviting pressure from the Azkals but all of these was only a bait as they know only 2 centerbacks are left on the azkals half and only one has the speed (Amani) to cover the wingers but against 4 quick Thais in a counter attack the azkals defense are out paced which would ultimately end up in a goal. That's how poor Dooley had in his strategy. Any local coach with A license can perform better than him but too bad majority of pinoys are Foreigner struck and well always unappreciate his kababayan.

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    1. A comment that hit the nerve.
      PFF and azkals is all about media and hype.

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    2. Hay naku situation play yun decision yun ng mga players sa basketball nga may timeout pa di rin masunod ng players ang set up play dahil magaling ang defense ng kalaban subukan nyong mag coach at di masunod ang instruction nyo magaling talaga ngayon ang team ng Thailand 2-0 ang Malaysia sa 1st leg samantala ang azkals 0-0 gusto mo yata palitan si Dooley mag seminar ka muna.

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    3. Punditpunditan... We lost because Thailand was a better team that night. period.

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    4. pang Basketball lng talaga utak ng iba dito. Yung iba naman galit sa pundits - eh ano ngayon ? pakialam mo ? blogspot ito, magbasa ka nga! Ka gwapohan lng at takbohan tinitingnan nyo kasi. Eh ano ngayon kung may alam silang mag coach at kaya nila palitan si Dooley? You have a mentality of a SLAVE!!!

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    5. lol kaya palitan... man, the attitude.

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  4. Screw that tactical blunder comment. Perhaps you were watching a different game. There is only one break down of the entire semi final series and that I we were outplayed, outclassed, and technically sub par in both games, and you can include the Vietnam game as well. It has always been clear that many of our player are just not that technically good, aside for a few. Look at the touches, the passing accuracy, and their awareness on the field. We are too slow to create runs because of the lack if awareness. Unable to hold the ball because of poor touches, passing accuracy, and again, awareness in recognizing spaces to fill. And they can't hold the ball under pressure which leads to giving away chances. And the touches are poor, which leads to bad possession to begin with. We need technical players that can hold, pass make runs and fill threatening spaces and be able to recognize those well, and be a scoring threat as well. They know that Phil is the guy that would threat them 70-90% of the time. So you see Phil getting marked and deemed in effective especially without other that can fill in the offensive threat vacuum. Tactically, we are fine at this level, but the issue is in the execution.

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  5. Tactically , we are fine? Then you are just an ordinary observer or analyst. Are you familiar with the 3 moments of Football? Then if not your observation is wrong. So, yung long ball na tactics ay ok lng sa yo kahit hindi successful sa Vietnam at Thailand? Manny Ott is not technical? Sato, reichelt, mulders, bahadoran and others maybe not as the same level with Thai players but if you are playing collectively and playing with correct positioning as instructed by an intelligent coach is still fine because its 11 vs. 11 for me as long as their is discipline in the back and organized midfield with tireless attacking forwards. The problem will always start with the coach because he's the one who selects the players, who gives instruction on the system of play, scouting report, fitness levels of players, motivation and experience. If these factors are not met during the game then you better prepare to close your ears because the fans and even the owner will castigate you and that is the life of a coach. Take it or leave it.

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    1. hi what is the 3 moments of football? care to explain?

      many thanks

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    2. i think it was clearly stated that there are several exceptions to the "technical" players label in our MNT. But like you said, not as technical as the Thais. That's the bottom line. I don't know how you break it down, but simply we are outplayed, and outclassed, and certainly due to our technical ability for the most part. 3 moments of the game you cite as your reason? 3 moments??? really? You have got to be the "ordinary observer" you are calling. I don't claim to be an expert, but you have got to look at the entire game, in fact, both games in the semis and including Vietnam as well. OUTPLAYED and OUTCLASSED, due to technical level difference, awareness, and just class.

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    3. It does not matter if you have Loew coaching our MNT, many of our players are not in the same class as the Thais. Did you not see how at ease they were and comfortable with the ball at their feet? They are fluid because of that. And don't forget their players ability to read the game and fill the threatening spaces. That's up to the player and not with the coach. Our game plan and tactics were fine. The Thais we're just better. And we all knew that. No surprise at all.

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    4. "Our game plan and tactics were fine. The Thais we're just better"- Really? like Long balls always? Hmmmm, it sounds you have no other ideas if you would become the Low Level Coach of Azkals. So . how come Diego Simeone made the turnaround for Atletico Madrid and become Champions of Spain ( and the finalist of UEFA Champions League) if Real Madrid and Barcelona have more class and skillful players than his club? You also mention we were outplayed and outclassed due to our players technical difference with the Thais and even mention one coaching point - awareness. Wow, I can't believe you blame it all to the players which is unfair to think that many of our players come from Europe and they were trained by academies who always taught them about awareness and technique. FYI, 11 aside game is like a chess match where managers/coaches always think beforehand on what to make a move. Its also like boxing that you always MOTIVATE players on how to win games cause motivation will drive the players adrenaline into playing tenacious, hardworker and neversay-die attitude Have you ever heard that all coaches are the same and the only difference in winning is how they motivate they players? Its also like a Military where you scout opponents weaknesses and strengths and work your way on how to break their defenses with correct recruitment and positioning of players ability. You will also have a 'Lesson" Plan like a teacher where drills and conditioning exercises fits to modern and traditional football like Bayern Munich is doing and not the old school american/english style LONG BALLS. Lastly, a coach should act like a Father where the team is like his family where squabbles and differences are settled inside the locker rooms and not in the media. If you love TD very much because he's players are to blame then good luck with your opinion and the fans of the players that they feel its unfair because they know its not.

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    5. How do you compare Athletico Madrid Players to UFL players just boggles my mind. Those players are light years ahead of our MNT players. They are pros, and yes capable of executing whatever is demanded of them. You are way over your head. Motivate players? Yes you can but how far will that take you? You need to come down to ground for once and be get in touch with reality. Our beat player by far is demoted to 2nd div bundesliga, and you compare that to La Liga team's ability to turn around? Wow! You great ideas, but that's all well if the stars were all aligned in the perfect world, my friend. Yes you can train them, a coach can, by that will mostly improve physical fitness and understanding the game plans and system of play. But to make drastic improvement down to the players level in terms of technical ability is close to nothing, especially with the age of most of our players. The reality has been clear, and just recently slapped us in the face, yet you still don't see it. Unbelievable. Look, the Thai Premier League is one of the best, if not, the best in the region. Yet you don't see Thai clubs aggressively going after majority of our players, except Patino, of course, and maybe a couple I presume. Look, that should tell you something about our players quality. Yes they are good, but not in the level of the Thais or Viets.

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    6. We are referring to underrated coaches here and not teams or clubs and I am just saying how a certain coach like Diego Simeone who came from nowhere as a coach build a up a feisty team with underrated players which which we could compare to us by means of attitude not technically if we have a coach like the attitude of DG. It seems you over analyze my comments and you have a hate for the players selected by Dooley which in fact he should be blamed. In 2010, the miracle of Hanoi happened to us not only by divine intervention but the pure motivation of their coach then Simon Mcmenemy while his strategy and tactics falling in the right direction , his players absorbed his enthusiasm and optimism and it translate to a never say die attitude to the players which end up where we are now. The coach really matters in good times and in bad times...

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    7. haha. Again, your "underated players" are La Liga caliber kind of player able to execute and are technically superior than even our best player in 2nd division bundeliga.

      The problem is in the execution. You can't execute when you are not that technical. Sure we made some improvements in our game, especially against lower teams. But against the likes of Thailand or Vietnam who are clearly technical which resulted in very assertive type of game for them, meaning they control the game they play and not reactive like our players were. These are facts and not based off of dreams of motivating more and all that crap. When you are in the semis, been knocked off twice in title matches coming into the tourney, I bet you are motivated as fuck to win it all. Motivation is never a shortage for our team. We have always been the underdogs and that's motivation enough; the same as in 2010. That's never the question. The question is we can't win against technical teams because we are not in the same level. That's a fact, clear, and simple. But somehow you still like to dance around and play fantasy football. We simply need better players. It's not gonna happen now, but someday.

      I have a hate? Are you joking me? What basis do you have to say that I hate our players? I think you have some issue with sticking to reality. If anything, I hate people like you who are having dilusional view of things even if facts are staring at their face.

      Look, the "miracle of Hanoi" happened for many reasons. Granted the players were extremely motivated, also by their coach, but most importantly, no one took notice of our team to begin with. We had the element of surprise and no one expected us to field a different team from the usual "whipping
      boys".

      That "never say die" attitude did not resutled in a championship either, did it? Most of our players have already reached their peak and they wont get any much better technically.

      Look, what I am trying to tell you is that most of our players have already reached their peak and they will not get any better. And it is also a fact that we were outplayed, and outclassed (meaning techinical ability and so on). But go on and close your eyes and play with your fantasy football in your head, even that wont bring hardware into our collection.

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  6. You are the one's arguing about how low our players while I am just criticizing Dooley as a coach and here you lambasted my opinion. I am realistic and you are realistic but you are just negative for our players ability while I believe with them and not with their head coach and also I didn't tell you that we can win the championship at anytime. What I'm trying to tell is we have a better chance if we have a coach who can bring our players to another level. That's what happens if your mind is full of fucking words and negativity.

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  7. lambasted your opnion? Well, not initially until you spew accusation of me "hating" the players. That's a different story.

    You seriously don't understand anything I was saying. Most of our players are no longer going to get any more better than they already are. Not these current line up anyway. Sure they have made improvements from Simon to Michael and to now with Dooley as the new coach. If you watch their games, they play nice with low level teams. Yes, they are quite assertive in those games but not against the Thais, Viets, even the Malaysians. My argument simply is that it does not matter who coaches this current players because most of them simply won't be at the same level technically as the Thais or Viets. It's not negativity, it's reality. It's realistic expectations. We will struggle against the the top teams in SEA simply because we are not in the same class. Not yet at least. You, however, seem to believe in fantasy. We even lost to Thailand in a friendly even with our best player in the lineup. Look, I don't know how else to explain this arguement to you, but I never claimed our players to be of "low level" as if they are garbage (other than you comparing La Liga players), but rather simply that they were outclassed, outplayed, and some technically not a on par with the likes of Thais and Viets. It's not the coach this time but simply the players cannot execute at the same level as the Thais or Viets. Plain and simple. And the result speaks for itself. No fantasy of "motivating more" and all of that but simply facts that is slapped in front of your face. And under Dooley, though much leaves to be desired when it comes to players relationship, but they played better football under him compared to any other coach. But just cannot execute or assert themselves, the players that is, on the field against technical teams. My mind is not fucking filled with negativity, but rather simply realistic expectations for this current line up. It's not full of fantasies either. And even if it's the coach is the issue, which I don't believe it this time at all, realistically speaking, we won't find a world class coach for the same price as the current or the previous coaches.

    Well, this man with a mind filled with "fucking words and negativity" is tired of arguing with your fantasies. For the very last time, the results speak for itself. Most, I will repeat, most, of our players are not in the same level technically as the top teams in our region. They are good, but not the same level. Just look at the touches, the awareness and decision makings especially in making runs to create chances, accuracy in passing, and simply the inability to assert their game against the top teams. It's clear for you to see that we are not in the same level. Clear as day.

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  8. We are not of the same level because you believe in the system of Dooley while I am not impressed and would like even to have a our national team hire a local coach than a foreigner handling situations where they are more familiar with. Let us see if 70% of those long balls will be gone by the time FIFA World cup qualifier is about to start.

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