Phl Azkals rebound, rip Qatari side

MANILA, Philippines - Playing a more organized defense and using more combinations from the strikers that produced scoring chances, the Philippine Azkals hacked out a 3-1 win over Qatari club Al Ahli SC Monday night in Doha, Qatar (early Tuesday in Manila).

Phil Younghusband pulled off a near hat-trick, scoring in the 9th and 53rd minutes while Fil-German Denis Wolf knocked in his first goal in an Azkals uniform in the 45th as Phl XI evened up its slate in their ongoing Middle East training camp.

The Azkals earlier opened up their three-game Gulf schedule with a 0-3 setback to Uzbekistan’s Olympic side over in Dubai as they struggled in defense while having difficulty adjusting to different positions.

“Adjustments were manifested in this game. Preparations are moving in the right direction,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami, whose team is in the Gulf to prepare for next month’s AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal.

The Azkals benefited from the arrival of Fil-Icelandic defender Ray Jonsson, who manned the left back position and allowed Fil-Spanish Carli de Murga to return to his usual spot at the right.

Together with the in-form Jason Sabio and Fil-Spanish Luis Guirado, the Azkals were successful in denying the attacks of Al Ahli, which supposedly paraded a mix of players from its first and second teams. The Azkals’ midfielders also exerted efforts to get back and support the defense.

“Sabio is one of positive surprises, being resilient and being strong,” said coach Michael Weiss, who stressed the importance of putting up a good defensive effort.

The Azkals got scoring opportunity in the ninth when Al Ahli’s out-of-shape starting goalkeeper picked up the defense’s backpass with his hands, an infraction that gave Phl an indirect free kick. The keeper, apparently playing a testimonial game, was replaced since.

Younghusband, the PSA’s Mr. Football awardee, gamely smashed it home from six yards to break the ice.

The Azkals made it 2-nil six minutes before the break, working on a good buildup from their strikers. Angel Guirado played a through ball to James Younghusband, who took a stab of it but was pushed out by the Qatari. A lurking Wolf was at the right place, at the right time to send it in.

Phil Younghusband pulled off a classy finish off a long goal kick from Roland Muller in the 53rd, giving the Azkals a 3-0 edge. He could have completed a hat-trick four minutes later when set up by brother James but he just fired over.

Ali Solaiman Abshiri accounted for Al Ahli’s lone goal with his 57th minute connection.

The Azkals could have scored a fourth goal when they were awarded a penalty kick at the 70th. Guirado’s shot, however, hit the post.

From Doha, the Azkals yesterday traveled back to Dubai, where they will wind up their 10-day camp with a match against Qantas Australia Under-23 on Thursday. First choice custodian Neil Etheridge is expected to join the team from England for the friendly.