Azkals bow to world-rated Azerbaijan XI

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals dropped a 0-1 setback to world-rated Azerbaijan in a friendly at Al Shabab Stadium in Dubai Wednesday night but will go home from their first overseas training under new coach Thomas Dooley with a lot of positives.

The Azkals took on a physically-imposing and tactically and technically superior rivals, their improved passing and pressing game serving them well as they managed to pull off an encouraging result against 93rd-ranked Azerbaijan.

The European side scored the game-winner via defender Yunuszade Elvin, who leapt over the Philippine defenders to head the ball in off a corner kick at the 27th minute.

Still, Phl XI viewed the outcome against the stronger rival more like a victory.

“I think it was a great game for us. Just imagine a year ago, we could not have played Azerbaijan this way. It feels good that everyone is more confident on the ball now,” said Fil-German midfielder Stephan Schrock.

Only a month and a half with Dooley, the “new-look” Azkals have shown much progress in adapting to his system. Dooley favors building attacks from defensive positions through short 1-2 passing.

“I’m happy and proud at the way the guys play because this is the football that we want to play,” said Dooley. “We never panicked against bigger and stronger players and I think that was the biggest part of our game.”

Prior to the setback to Azerbaijan, the Azkals had previously drawn with Malaysia, 0-0. As such, they finished the first part of their preparations for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup without a win to show or a goal, at least.