Phl Azkals still far from fearsome form

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Azkals are still a work in progress.

Despite their 2-0 triumph over Mongolia in Wednesday’s first leg of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying tie here, the Azkals still have a lot to improve on, their coach Hans Michael Weiss admitted himself.

“We lack the finishing skills,” Weiss said, noting how his wards only completed two of their 32 total attacks at the Mongolians’ post.

Part of this had to do with the Blue Wolves’ tactic to virtually blanket their own net throughout. They even assigned one man to specifically hound Fil-British ace Phil Younghusband without let-up.

“Next time, we had to make sure we don’t miss so many opportunities,” Weiss said. “But against a deep-standing opponent like this, to be able to create that many opportunity, is not a bad thing. That means we were able to create so many chances to score.”

The Mongolian Blue Wolves thwarted the Azkals’ relentless attack with their compact stance, conceding only two goals from co-skipper Chieffy Caligdong (42nd minute) and Younghusband (94th).

“We tried to be successful and come over the wings and use cross courts and we didn’t get clean headers,” Weiss said. “We should play more on the ground, play more 1-2s and go to the back of defense line. We have to improve on that and the (next) game will be a different one than today.”

Co-captain Aly Borromeo said their failure to convert on a lot of goals might have something to do with adjusting to their newfound roles as the one in control.

“We’re quite unlucky, we had our breaks, our moments to capitalize (on) but we’re just not used to being the team controlling the match. We’re usually the underdogs and it took a while to get the rhythm going,” he said.

While some may be disappointed with the meager two-goal thrashing of young, inexperienced Mongolia, Weiss said he’d take this win.

“I’m not discontent. It could have been more but from the start we had an opponent who wouldn’t participate in the match. This is really foreseeable because the Philippines now is in a different situation, we’re on a transition from a team that plays counter to one that plays offensive football and wants to control the match,” the German said.

“We need more time for that and I’m positive the team can rise to expectations,” he added.

The Azkals will take a short rest after Wednesday’s game then will go to Baguio on Feb. 21 to start their high-altitude training for the second leg of their showdown with Mongolia at the latter’s turf on March 15. Weather in Ulan Bator is expected to be at 0 degrees for the match.