Dooley taps Portuguese deputy coach for Azkals

MANILA, Philippines - Azkals coach Thomas Dooley has brought in a new deputy in Portuguese Bruno Baltazar as he tries to whip the Pinoy booters into top form for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup.

Baltazar, who played central defender during his playing career, served as head coach of Atlético Clube de Portugal II Liga and Sport União Sintrense III Div prior to coming over to Phl.

The 36-year-old from Lisbon joined Dooley and the rest of the team in the Azkals’ weeklong training camp in Doha, Qatar, where they are set for international friendlies against Nepal and Al Ahly on Friday and Monday, respectively.

This trip will serve as the next phase of the Azkals’ build-up for the May 19-30 Challenge Cup in Maldives, where a coveted berth to the 2015 Asian Cup is at stake.

“It would be a dream win the (Challenge) cup and play the Asia Cup. I’m excited, “ Baltazar said recently in a report on Portuguese site A Bola.

The Azkals left for Doha yesterday, seeking to further improve under Dooley, who took over just last February.

The team targets a first victory with former US skipper Dooley at the helm after settling for a scoreless draw with Malaysia and yielding a 0-1 setback to world-rated Azerbaijan in a previous sojourn last month.

Phl XI has earned raves for their improved passing game and overall style of play in those friendlies but seemed to be wanting in finishing.

“All the players feel that we’re playing better football, and we’re passing the ball and we’re creating chances. It’s just scoring goals and winning the game,” veteran striker Phil Younghusband told ABS-CBN New’s TJ Manotoc prior to their departure.

“Coach (Dooley) has told us that that’s the objective now. Although we’ve played good football, at the end of the day we have to put the ball at the back of the net,” he added.

Dooley has called up a mix of veterans, newcomers and returning players for the Qatar camp, hoping to try out a lot of combos and widen the talent base for the major battles ahead.