Philippine Daily Inquirer
MALE, MALDIVES—Scrappy as it may look, chalk this one to the collection of the Philippines’ greatest goals in international football.
And the scorer, Chris Greatwich, isn’t exactly a stranger to important goals for the country.
The 30-year-old Greatwich, who is celebrating a decade of playing for the Azkals late this year, again provided the late heroics when he smashed home Patrick Reichelt’s pass in the 104th minute, lifting the Philippines to a 3-2 extra time win over the Maldives in the semifinals of the AFC Challenge Cup at National Stadium here.
“The goal was all a bit of a blur really,” said Greatwich. “I wasn’t sure if Patrick’s shot was going wide so I just had to stick it in just in case. Just really happy we only had to hold on 15 minutes until the end and reach the finals.”
The goal from close range sent fans into ruptures not just the Filipino gallery in the stadium, but those who stayed up to the wee hours of Wednesday morning in Manila to witness the late drama on television.
Greatwich was the same player who rescued the Azkals from the brink of defeat against Singapore in the AFF Suzuki Cup four years ago, before scoring the first goal in the historic 2-0 win over then defending champion Vietnam—a victory that led to a first semifinal appearance in the tournament.
It was the tournament that catapulted the Azkals to stardom after long years of playing with little fanfare. “Perhaps Vietnam had more impact in terms of where Philippine football was, but from a tournament perspective, it is the most important one,” said Greatwich.
The Filipino-British midfielder came in as a halftime substitute for Jerry Lucena, who actually put the Azkals on top with a close-range strike to make it 2-1.
Greatwich was on the bench for a couple of matches after suffering an eye injury in the opening minutes of the Afghanistan game last May 20.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to play you just have to be mentally ready,” said Greatwich.
Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/154288/veteran-chris-greatwich-delivers-memorable-goal-anew#ixzz335PNTm3D
Park the bus at 1st half, put oj on first half for speed and ball handling, put James on first half to rest stuble, let us prostrate them and make them tired... then second half put our big guns and let it gun blazing till it ends.... lucena at CB
ReplyDeleteWow nice strategy there coach. You are better than Weiss.
DeleteLol. He thinks its so easy hey?
Deleteparking buses is tailor fit for the attacking Palestine they are easily breakdown and get prostrated take out there game, then they can easily beat on the second half, oj is for take chances... we cant not win if we fought them toe to toe, with injuries of our top players we cannot win.... so parking buses is the only way...
DeleteI see what you mean but being defensive and counter attacking throughout the whole match would be a bit better. The problem is we don't have the players to play that defensively for 90 mins. Our defense can be really shaky and makes some critical mistakes now and then. Everyone has to be at their very best defensivly and Muller has to give another MotM performance! Only then will we win!
Deleteyes armchair football coach!
DeleteStupid!! how can you make them tired we're the ones chasing for the ball in the on the defensive end? You make them tired and "prostrated" (spelled as frustrated btw) by having them chase the ball with our passing game. I'm not sure how Palestine will get frustrated if they control the ball because we park the bus. Do you really think parking the bus will hold off Palestine for that long? How many air balls do you think against Palestine we can be sure would not go in? Palestines are bigger and physical team. Parking the bus? No thank you... We must control the ball and we must be the ones knocking on their door for the whole 90 min... That's how we win matches throught this tourney by controlling and playing our game, and not the otherway around...
Deleteyou park the bus when you have the lead, moron. how does that even make any sense parking the bus when you dont even have a lead to protect? in case you have forgotten, you dont actually win games by not scoring goals... it's the last 15 to 20 mins are the most dangerous to get scored on. i dont think parking the bus is a good tactic if you want to win the championship... play tight on defense and control the ball is the best thing to do..
DeleteSo you work hard all tournament just to park the bus in the finals? Might as well pack your bags because it's going to be a massacre.
ReplyDeleteThat is why we need to park our bus to establish our defence and prostrate them.... at the second half do our usual thing like controlling the midfield, set offence at the back... we must not let them score a goal as early as first half, parking busses is a tactical defence you people....
DeleteOur player are playing hurt, and our opponent are tall and agile and saw our tactics and weaknesses so let give them the elements of surprise just to prostrate them.
Deletedamn it! it's FRUSTRATE... now you're frustrating me, lol. it looks like you typed prostate rather than frustrate. ;p;
DeleteProstate cancer ba of frustrate cancer? Lol.
DeleteWe need Pavone.
ReplyDelete