05 September 2012

PH Azkals, Cambodia settle for another scoreless draw in friendly

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PHNOM PENH – The second meeting in three years between the Philippines and Cambodia ended the same way like it was the first time: A scoreless draw.
Ranged against a team that needed to go through qualifying for the AFF Suzuki Cup, the Azkals were unlucky not to grab a late-winner as they continued their buildup here at the National Olympic Stadium.
Phil Younghusband bungled an effort from eight yards in the eighth minute, Jason Sabio shook the crossbar with a header, before Patrick Riechelt was denied by the post six minutes from time as Cambodia survived a late Philippine onslaught under heavy downpour.
Only the outcome was similar to the last meeting between the two sides as the Azkals dictated the play this time, particularly in the second half where they carved out chance after chance despite far from ideal pitch conditions.
The Azkals got a boost earlier in the day when the penalties meted on coach Michael Weiss, manager Dan Palami and James Younghusband were suspended following an appeal.
The reprieve meant the Azkals fielded a strong, experienced side with Jerry Lucena, Paul Mulders and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge in the starting eleven along with Phil Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Carli de Murga, Jason Sabio, Rob Gier and Under-23 standouts Jeff Christiaens and Marwin Angeles.
Cheered on by a buoyant crowd, Cambodia threatened early with quick passing and good movement off the ball. The final ball was missing though and the Azkals started to get into the game late in the first half.
Though Cambodia had a couple of balls into the box in the first five minutes, it was the Azkals who created the first clear chance.
James Younghusband and Paul Mulders linked up at the right flank, before the Fil-Dutch sent the ball to an unmarked Phil Younghusband who sent his effort just wide.
Cambodia constantly threatened on the counter with Rob Gier and Carli De Murga needing to come away with tackles inside the box to prevent a shot on goal.
Weiss sent in Reichelt for Lucena at halftime and Jason de Jong for Gier. Almost immediately Riechelt made his mark on the game, linking up with Phil Younghusband, before skipping past a couple of defenders only to unleash a cross beyond Caligdong.
Reichelt was lively on the right and was at it again, using a stepover to create space only to shoot low to the Cambodian keeper Su Yati.
Etheridge was steady for most of the game, but Cambodia almost cashed in on his miskick in the 63rd minute.
On the other end, Denis Wolf, who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute, had a left footed effort from the area saved in the 73rd minute.
Wolf was combining well with Mulders and another run found him on the left only for his side-footed shot from a tight angle find the side netting.
The Azkals finished the game strongly on attack with Riechelt nearly finishing off a fine counter that started with Etheridge finding another substitute Misagh Bahadoran on the left. Bahadoran spotted Reichelt and the Fil-German beat three defenders only to be denied by the post.
The match is the first of a three-country Southeast Asian swing of the team preparing for the Suzuki Cup in Bangkok in November.
The Azkals have been grouped with powerhouses Thailand and Vietnam in the tournament, along with the top team of the qualifiers.

inquirer.net

6 comments:

  1. Against a club almost thirty rungs below us, this is a BAD result.

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  2. Now, I don't think that our NT-AZKALS could be one of the favorite for the up-coming AFF Suzuki Cup 2012, luckily if we survived in the first round in our group A,..

    Look, if we want to see the previous friendly games of both teams our NT-AZKALS had an edge advantage compare to Cambodia,. but what happened?? that is the big question mark, the result is frustrations...

    Over confident ? maybe, but one thing for sure is lack of cohesion as a group or as a team, it looks like they don't knew each other on the field(pitch)...

    We have great players as an individual but we don't have excellent team at all...don't depend on miracle..(dark horse?) again?..

    during the game, AZKALS had a good opportunity but that is not enough to finish the goal..attacking movement is weak, but the defensive move not bad,..but need more aggressiveness, long passing is not sure.., short passing is not coordinately as a team

    If our NT-AZKALS together from the beginning of their training camp.. (US Camp until the last camp)maybe they knew each other about their individual expertise and weakness or strongest skills on the pitch

    Unfortunately,US camp having the list of the players, then cambodia another list, Singapre vs Philippines ? Laos vs Philippines ? the players came and go....I don't know this kind of styles are productive...anyway Good luck hoping for the win for your remaining friendly games... we should learned from the experiences..to become strong and know your team-mates what is his best plays on the pitch..

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  3. So, our two interesting winless streaks continue.

    After 2-0 upset over Vietnam in 2010 Suzuki Cup..

    We are winless at away field (not including neutral field)
    - 10 games, 5 draws, 5 losses.

    And we are winless against South East Asian teams (at any field)
    - 9 games, 6 draws, 3 losses.

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  4. Maybe they should get Chot Reyes, maybe he can inject a winning attitude LOL.

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  5. Azkals Europe manager Paul Weiler ( who holds the copyrights of Azkals brand in 27 european nations )said that Kevin Esswein will be soon play for the Philippines Asia Azkals very soon. He recommended also Marc Kevin Beutler as a new young hope for the defense position. "Marc Kevin is young but powerful like Ali Borromeo .. so an ideal newcomer on this position which do not have much filipino talents".. he said.

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    Replies
    1. WTF is this joke? PW as Azkals Europe manager and holds copyright of the brand in... wait for it... 27 fucking euro nations? will someone please give this guy a real job or please just shoot him in the head to wake him up! Paul Wanker, i don't know what to make of you. you're the greatest and biggest joke--- ever!

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