The Azkals yielded to a vastly superior
North Korean side, 0-2, Friday, but are taking heart at the fact that
they kept the defending champions at bay for long periods.
India, which ruled the tournament in 2008
and a qualifier to the 2011 Asian Cup, also fell to another former
winner, Tajikistan, 0-2, in the other group B match.
Because of the outcome of their first-day
matches, both the Philippines and India can no longer afford to drop
points in the match set at 5 p.m. (7:15 p.m. in Manila) at the Dashrath
Stadium.
Against India, though, the Azkals believe
they can afford to be more adventurous in attack compared to the match
against the North Koreans, who were simply superb at keeping the ball
and creating scoring chances.
“We have to play more offensively,” said
coach Michael Weiss, who got a brief overview on India’s style of play
from Tajikistan’s Bosnian coach Kemal Alispahic over breakfast Saturday.
“We just have to be confident at keeping the ball,” said James Younghusband, who skippered the side against North Korea.
“It’s a big game for us,” said striker
Phil Younghusband. “It’s difficult playing catch-up and have a difficult
sequence of games. But we can get our confidence back if we win.”
The Azkals will face Tajikistan in their final group match on Tuesday.
Tajikistan faces North Korea in the other match Sunday. Only the top two sides advance to the semifinals.
One thing going for the Azkals is the
return of both Chieffy Caligdong and Rob Gier from injuries that have
sidelined them over the past month.
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who made a
string of spectacular saves against North Korea, is also cleared to play
despite a hurting right wrist, while Fil-Dutch midfielder Jason de Jong
was scheduled to arrive last night to beef up the side.
Gier and Caligdong, who have been part of
the regular starting crew the past few years, came in as second-half
substitutes against North Korea.
“I’m just excited to get back out there and help the team with my experience,” said Gier.
Caligdong, the co-skipper, could make his
first start since January against India, which captured the South Asian
title late last year and impressed despite a 0-4 loss to German
powerhouse Bayern Munich in an exhibition match.
India coach Savio Medeira, who watched
the first 30 minutes of the Philippines-North Korea match, said he saw
“a good pressurizing side, who gives a lot of time for opponents to get
the ball.”
“They just fight for every ball,” said Medeira of the Azkals.
Medeira is also hoping for an improved
performance from his side particularly with skipper Sunil Chhetri, the
hero of India’s title conquest four years ago, who struggled against
Tajikistan in his first match back from an ankle injury two months ago.
Azkals manager Dan Palami is optimistic that the Azkals can overcome India.
“We have been in this situation many
times and I’m quite confident that the players can deliver in a must-win
match,” said Palami.
Courtesy of: inquirer.net
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