Phl one defender less in vital tiff

RANGOON – The Azkals will be one man short in today’s do-or-die match with Bangladesh.

Rob Gier, the steady defender, flew home to England yesterday afternoon to be with his wife, Emma, who is experiencing a delicate pregnancy.

The 30-year-old Gier arrived in Myanmar only last Sunday to help out with the team, and it had been agreed upon that he would play only two matches.

He played a key role in the team’s first two games here, draws against Myanmar and Palestine, and would have wanted to stay if not for the situation back home.

Some of his teammates tried to convince him to stay.

“But I can’t. It wasn’t an easy decision because I had to choose. Is it the team or my wife?” said Gier yesterday shortly before leaving the hotel for the airport.

“I would have loved to stay. But my wife needs me,” he said.

The Giers are expecting their first child.

“It was great of him to come here when there are priorities back home. He came here to boost the guys,” said Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo.

“He’s one of the most experienced players in the team and it’s always good to have him out there. I tried to convince him to stay but it was understandable,” he added.

Before leaving, Gier hoped that after two successive draws they will be able to nail the victory that would send the Azkals to the next round.

He looked back at the first two matches as matches that could have gone either way.