PH Azkals train sights on upset of Thais

By Cedelf P. Tupas

BANGKOK—The Philippine Azkals arrived in this bustling metropolis Monday with their sights trained on pulling off what could be an even bigger upset than the one they produced four years ago in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

After holding three time champion Thailand to a goal-less draw in the first leg of their semifinal tie, the Azkals have no recourse but to deliver another brilliant performance Wednesday night, this time in enemy territory, to keep their bid for a first major title alive.

The Filipino side is no stranger to hammering out big feats, having beaten then defending champion Vietnam in Hanoi four years ago, but the Thais are a challenge unlike any other as they have been the benchmark in the sport in the region for the past two decades.

While the league where the players in the Philippines are culled from is still developing, the Thai Premier League, where the War Elephants get their pool of players is considered one of the strongest in the continent.

And even with a young side, the War Elephants are brimming with confidence they can get past the Azkals.

“One hundred percent, we will go to the next round,” said Thai midfielder Charyl Chappuis. “For us, it was important that the Philippines did not score [in the first leg]. We are not so happy because we wanted to get the win, but we think we have the advantage at home.”

The Azkals likewise believe there were plenty of positives coming out of their performance in the first leg.

“I thought we were excellent and the commitment was what exactly I expected it would be,” said skipper Rob Gier.

Gier is relishing the thought of the Azkals defying the odds once more on Wednesday at the iconic Rajamangala Stadium where a sellout crowd of 80,000 is expected.

“They thought the Thais were going to walk over us and we’ve proven that they are in a game now and that they have to bring their A Game if they want to beat us,” said Gier.

The away goals rule give the Azkals another glimmer of hope as a scoring draw will be enough for them to advance to their first finals appearance in the tournament.

“I think if we put in a performance like in the first leg there’s no way we could not score a goal,” said Gier, predicting that the Thais will be having trouble dealing with teammate Phil Younghusband whom he considers the “best striker in Southeast Asia.”

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/169574/ph-azkals-train-sights-on-upset-of-thais#ixzz3LLPMAjV1

Azkals boss not taking chances as Thailand likely without strike stars in return leg

From: Karlo Sacamos

THE Philippine men’s football tries to pounce on a Thailand side that could miss two prolific scorers in the return leg of their Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup semifinals in Bangkok on Wednesday. Thailand coach Kiatisuk Senamuang said starting forward Kirati Keawsombat could be “out” after suffering a hamstring injury in the first half of the Manila tie. Super sub Adisak Kraisorn is set to miss their home game due to a suspension after picking up a straight red card for hitting Azkals defender Amani Aguinaldo in the scoreless draw. “Good thing one forward is injured and the other can’t play,” Azkals coach Thomas Dooley said. “But on the other hand, they have so many good players who are sometimes better than the starter.” “We know we’ll play against eleven,” the German-American mentor added. “They’ll try everything to beat us at their home, so we just have to be ready.”

The Azkals, who arrived in the Thai capital on Monday, need at least a scoring draw to advance to the finals for the first time. The 23-year-old Adisak scored a brace in the 3-2 win against Malaysia in the group stage. He basically averages one goal per match for Thailand, having scored six times in six appearances for the senior team since last year. Kirati, on the other hand, has registered six goals in 25 appearances for the senior team since 2009. “It’s a big loss,” Thai midfielder Charyl Chappuis said. “They’re two amazing strikers who help us a lot. But in the end, we know that this can happen and we are prepared for this.” Besides, the Thais managed to hold even with a man down in their away match. “It was okay as our players learned how to play with only ten men,” Kiatisuk said. “One hundred percent we go to the next round,” Chappuis added.

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/news/azkals-suzuki-cup-philippines-thailand-asean-football-thomas-dooley

Scoring draw will be enough, but Palami says Azkals going for win in Bangkok tie

From: Karlo Sacamos

A SCORING draw will be enough, but the Philippine men’s football team is aiming for no less than a victory in the return leg of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup semifinals against Thailand on Wednesday in Bangkok. The Azkals held the 10-man War Elephants to a scoreless draw in the first leg last Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium - a breakthrough against a team that had beaten them 14 straight times and 15 in their last 17 meetings. That’s what gives team manager Dan Palami confidence heading into enemy territory. “Now that we now how they play and we’ve tested their mettle, I think we can actually pull off a win,” the Azkals boss said. “Before it was improbable, but now, we’ve gone from improbable to possible.”

Palami felt the Azkals could’ve scored a goal and won in the opener had they drawn a penalty after Phil Younghusband was tripped by a Thai defender inside the box in one play in the second half. “Maybe a penalty given in one of the occasions where it could’ve been warranted, it would’ve been a better result.” Still, Palami believes it’s just a matter of time before the Azkals break through the Thai defense. “If we can withstand the pressure of their fans and we play aggressive and strong like we played here, I think we might just get that goal, finally.”

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/news/scoring-draw-is-enough-but-victory-possible-for-azkals-against-perennial-tormentor-thailand-in-bang-says-manager-dan-palami

YouTube : Philippines vs Thailand: AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 - Semi Final (1st Leg)

AFF SUZUKI CUP: All tied up in Manila

MANILA (6 Dec 2014) – The ‘thrilla’ in Manila fell a little short on the night as the Philippines battled three-times ASEAN champions Thailand to a scoreless draw in the first leg, semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup that was played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

With 180 minutes to go for a place in the next round, it was quite obvious that both teams were not about to commit too much and risk it all on the night as they look for the glaring opportunity before going forward.

With Adisak Kraisorn incising the Philippines backline with Charyl Chappuis dribbling the midfield, the Thais came close early in the game but just managed to find the side of the net.

The best chance in the game for the home team came in the 40^th minute with a stinging freekick from Philip Younghusband that forced an outsretched save from Thai custodian Kawin Thamsatchanan.

Some good one touches between Younghusband, Misagh Bahadoran and Manuel Ott almost caught the Thai backline flat footed while a break on the left from the inspired former Chelsea reserves forced a lucky tackle from a recovering Thai defender.

In the 68^th minute, the Philippines gained an advantage when Adisak Kraisorn was red carded for an off the ball incident against Abenaldo but the home team just could not make it count as they now wait for the return leg.

The second leg semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup will be played on 10 December at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

aseanfootball.org

AFF Suzuki Cup : Philippines 0-0 Thailand

AFF Suzuki Cup

First leg semifinal

Philippines vs Thailand  . Rizal Memorial Stadium

Start : 8 pm Philippines

Tv : ABS Sports and Action and Fox Sports , 7.30 pm

Livestream link : http://eversport.tv/football/aff-suzuki-cup-2014/2014/12/6/philippines-vs-thailand

Livescore : www.futbol24.com

Azkals starting XI : Deyto, Rota, Gier, Amani, Sato, Misagh, Steuble, Ott, Lucena, Mulders, PYH

Subs : Trigo, Daniels , Hartmann, Dizon , Villanueva , Reichelt , Simon and Chris Greatwich, James Younghusband

Thailand XI: Kawin; Narubodin, Suttinun, Tanaboon, Peerapat; Sarach, Chappuis, Chanathip; Sarawut, Kroekrit, Kirati









60 mins Reichelt in , Mulders out
62 mins Daniels in , Rota out
69 mins Kraisorn , Thailand red card
84 mins J. Youghusband in , Sato out
0-0 FT


OFFICIAL MATCH SUMMARY

Azkals updates - Saturday

Alvaro Silva and  Roland Müller are not expected to play in AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals in Manila and Bangkok.

Juani Guirado is injured and not playing in the semifinals.

Still many tickets for sale in the first leg at Rizal Memorial  Stadium today. Ticket availability is "good"  Tickets will also be sold at the Stadium.


Semifinal start 8 pm . Live on ABS Sports and Action and Fox Sports in Philippines from 7.30 pm

Livestream link : http://eversport.tv/football/aff-suzuki-cup-2014/2014/12/6/philippines-vs-thailand

Philippines get two slots in AFC Cup

Philippines get one direct slot and one playoff slot in next AFC Cup .

Last years winner of PFF Smart National Championhip (Ceres fc) and runner-up (Global fc) is expected to get the slots , but not officially confirmed.

http://www.the-afc.com/afc-cup-2014/afc-cup-slots-decided-for-2015-2016-editions