Azkals target title vs Pakistan

MANILA, Philippines - Back in the thick of things following a favorable result the other day, the Philippine Azkals try to make the most out of the opportunity as they shoot for the crown against the Pakistan side in the second Phl Football Peace Cup tonight at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

Although the Azkals yielded a 1-2 setback to Chinese-Taipei in the opening day of the three-nation tourney, they revived their bid when the Pakistanis defeated the Taiwanese, 1-0, last Sunday.

With the present standings, the Pinoy booters could still salvage the crown with a victory over the Pakistanis by at least two goals in the 7 p.m. match. 

A draw or a loss, however, will hand Pakistan the plum while a 1-0 win for the Azkals will crown the Taiwanese the champs, owing to their superiority over Pakistan in number of goals scored and previous victory over Phl XI.

“It’s all in our hands now,” said Fil-British keeper Neil Etheridge.

He is hopeful the Azkals’ defensive line will be steadier this time, after being hit on the counter-attack by the Taiwanese last Friday.

“Hopefully we won’t be as naïve and think that we are unbeatable, which I think was a factor in the game last Friday,” said Etheridge.

But the Azkals will likely miss some key players who fell down with food poising over the weekend, among them OJ Porteria, Jason de Jong, and Mark Hartmann. Phil Younghusband, who sat out the first game due to calf injury, is expected to be sidelined again.

Still, team manager Dan Palami remains optimistic.

“I think what’s important is that we play cohesively. The win will come if we play together as a team,” he said.

The Pakistanis seized the lead in the short tourney with their 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei, gaining from the seventh-minute goal of skipper Zershan Rehman. 

“Pakistan lost a lot of power against Chinese Taipei so the chance is there for us,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss.

Pakistan mentor Mohamed Shamlan believes his wards will be up against a strong squad.

“I have been following the Philippine team’s games in the past years. They have improved so much. They are a strong squad,” he said.