MANILA, Philippines – Nasiyahan si coach Thomas Dooley sa nakita niyang laro ng Philippine Azkals sa kanilang exhibition game laban sa bumisitang Papua New Guinea.
Sumandal ang Azkals sa eksplosibong laro ni Mark Hartmann tungo sa, 5-0 pananalasa sa bisitang koponan noong Linggo ng gabi sa Rizal Memorial Stadium.
“I’m very happy with the first half. It was good, more than good, actually, and let’s say, it was almost great; we did exactly what we wanted to – score goals. But in the second half, I’m not very happy and obviously not satisfied as we didn’t score any more,” sabi ni Dooley.
Sinimulan ni Hartmann ang kanyang pananalasa sa pag-iskor ng goal makaraan ang dalawang minuto pa lamang sa laro na kanyang sinundan sa 10th, 19th at sa ikatlong minuto ng stoppage time sa first half.
Umiskor din si Phil Younghusband, lumaro ng No. 10 position sa ika-41st minuto ng laro.
Gumamit ang German-American mentor ng lineup na binubuo ng 21 players mula sa United Football League kung saan tanging si Rob Gier ang overseas-based player.
“I think we showed good strength and depth. Obviously, coach tried out a lot of new guys both starting the game and in the second half. These games, I keep saying, are just preparations for the Suzuki Cup, to get the guys a bit of experience in international games and I thought everyone acquitted themselves well,” sabi ni Gier. (OL)