Azkals expect dogfight against Wolves tonight

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals relish the opportunity to play Uzbekistan – a high-powered opponent with a world ranking of 76 – as they shoot for a major upset in the Fifa World Cup second-round qualifiers tonight at the Philippine Sports Stadium.

“This is the game we’re waiting for, playing against teams above us,” said coach Thomas Dooley, whose 125th-ranked side seek an ambush against the favored White Wolves in the 8 p.m. home match.

“Where we are now, we want to be at the level where Uzbekistan is; we also want to play in the Asian Cup. If we want to achieve that, we have to be competing against top teams like Uzbekistan,” said captain Phil Younghusband.

The Azkals are currently at second in Group H with six points built around victories over Bahrain (2-1) and Yemen (2-0). Uzbekistan runs third with three points on one win (over Yemen, 1-0) and one loss (to leader North Korea, 2-4).

“We are totally the underdogs and we have nothing to lose. They have to win against us. For us, we just have to play a great game, fight and play the way we want to and in football anything is possible,” said Dooley.

“We know what Uzbekistan has to offer but with the players we have, we also know what we can offer. If we do our jobs right, we play well, then we can pull an upset,” said Younghusband.

The White Wolves, who arrived Sunday night on a chartered flight from Tashkent, said they would go all out for the crucial victory.

“We’re in a situation where each match is very, very important. We’re in third place in the group and so we have to win all the (remaining) matches (to win the group and qualify to the next round),” Uzbekistan mentor Samvel Babayan said through an interpreter.

“We came here for a win. I think we’re capable to get the result we want,” said Server Djeparov, the Asian Footballer of the Year in 2008 and 2011.

Babayan, who took over the reins after the team lost its opening match in the WCQ, put a large target on Younghusband. “If we can neutralize the team captain, then we can build on our game,” he said.

The Uzbeks are in no way underestimating the Filipinos.

“It’s not an accident that the Phl has six points. Philippine is very good, they’re a very organized team and their coach has done a good job tactically and defensively,” he said.

Dooley said the Azkals should raise their game several notches to match up with the stronger, more experienced Uzbeks.

“This team does everything better (than the teams we’re used to playing). They move the ball faster, they’re stronger physically, they make less mistakes than other teams, their stamina is better and they prepare better,” said the German-American.