Setting Expectations: AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers
http://www.solarsportsdesk.ph/fb/fbfeatures/2013/03/14/setting-expectations-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers
The Philippines will be hosting the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers from March 22-26, 2013 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. And so Solar Sports Desk asked people - who love the beautiful game of football and the Azkals - about the upcoming tournament and the Philippine men's national football team. Here’s what they have to say:
1.) Based on what happened in the Suzuki Cup, what are the adjustments that we need to make in the Challenge Cup?
Imon Olgado (Social Media Guy): The midfielders have their work cut out for them as they were the ones who went AWOL during the Suzuki Cup. They’ve lost too many balls and won few in the middle, which gave added pressure to our back four and limited chances upfront. Younger but able substitutes for our central defenders should be addressed - there seems to be a lack of succession plan in defense.
Rex Raymond Torrecampo (Former Football Coach and Blogger): Not an awful lot of adjustments are really needed because there really wasn’t much between us and Singapore in the semis except for that momentary lapse in concentration that led to the goal in the Singapore leg. Phil Younghusband was well-shackled by the Singaporeans so in the Challenge Cup, if Javier Patiño or the other forwards can take defenders away from him that can make the world of a difference.
Mika Palileo (Football Fangirl): We need to have a midfield combination that can win the ball and dictate the tempo of the match. Versus Singapore, we regressed to the Azkals version of 2011, relying heavily on long balls and playing catch-up. We also have to address the fullback situation. Our CBs are solid, despite aging, but down the road, the back four will be heavily tested, when we go up against stronger teams.
Roy Moore (Fairplay for All Foundation, Payatas FC Coach, and Football Analyst): The team did really well in the Suzuki Cup, and defensively had one of the best records. However, the team didn't gel so well in attack and need to find a way to score more goals - to find a system that works for them and stick with it. A few tactical tweaks in pushing higher up the pitch, pressing the play more, and some young, quick players would be useful. Hopefully Javier Patiño can help with the attacking problem.
Jaimer Dela Cruz (Member, Ultras Filipinas): The adjustments that must be done should be focused on stamina and teamwork. Modern football suggests a fast-paced open-ended game. If the boys can keep on running and playing with a great amount of air in their bags, that should be good for the rest of the campaign. Teamwork, for us, is the most important thing the team must focus on especially the back liners. No one wants to be left behind when the ball starts rolling.
2.) Our team is virtually on 'full strength' with our Fil-foreigners on international break, would it be right for fans to raise their expectations? Why or why not?
Imon: Yes, expectations will be high this time because of a possible Fil-foreign starting XI which might be one of the best XI that we’ll be fielding in this decade. However, we have to consider team chemistry as factor since we’ve got players who haven’t played with each other for quite some time and we’ve got a new striker in Patiño who no one has played with before.
Rex: Football and the Azkals have a surprisingly intelligent fan base in this country. I think most fans will understand that at full strength our line-up is really formidable; but will also know that their coming together just days before a major tournament means that teamwork and fluency are already compromised. I think most fans will be cautiously optimistic.
Mika: Raising expectations is part and parcel of any sport and our NT needs to meet expectations if we are to progress. Obviously, we haven't conquered SE Asia, so now we'll try our luck against emerging markets viz. football nations. We've long talked of conquering this and that, so it's high time to measure performances against competitive targets.
Roy: In some sense the players based abroad coming in should help, but then we lost to Laos with Schrock in the middle of the pitch because the team hadn't had enough time together at that point. The players will need a lot of time to gel, especially against Turkmenistan who knocked the Philippines out of the Challenge Cup semifinals and are the best team in the competition this time around. They're the difficult task here.
Jaimer: In two aspects, we could answer that with yes AND no, not OR. Yes, we should raise the expectations because we know that our Fil-foreign players get the experience especially newcomer Javier "Pati-Gol" Patiño because he got the opportunity to play against the greatest club in the world, FC Barcelona. No, on the other hand, because as far as years of development is concern, our national football team is just getting back on our strides towards Asian supremacy.
3.) If you were to choose between Neil Etheridge, Roland Muller and Ed Sacapaño who would you pick? Why?
Imon: Best problem to have, to be honest. If I were to choose, it would be EdSa as his form in the recent international competitions has been superb. These three are top goalkeepers and selecting them would all depend on what they show during the small time the national team have for practice.
Rex: This is really difficult to answer because selection always has to be made based on current form; and we don’t really get to see Etheridge and Muller in action with their club sides. Probably Muller since he is playing regularly with his Bundesliga 2 side; although Etheridge showed in the Myanmar friendly that he has not exactly been accumulating rust. I honestly wouldn’t mind even Sacapaño playing as long as the defence is at the top of its game.
Mika: Etheridge is still our best bet on goal, but you can't discount Ed Sacapaño. The last quarter of 2012 saw him show up in big games, and this is a guy who exudes confidence despite his small stature. With those three, HMW and Zubi have a good problem.
Roy: I'd say go with Neil. He's been great for the Philippines and receives top training at Fulham. Muller's a top keeper too, but Etheridge has been there for many years with the Azkals -- and I think he is still the best keeper the Philippines has.
Jaimer: I would pick Ed Sacapaño because in football, consistency is the key. If we can keep the fire burning, there is a big chance that EdSa can bring us glory. As we all know, EdSa is on a roll based on his last performances. He even managed to get the most number of clean sheets during the Suzuki Cup despite his stature.
4.) Do you agree with Coach Weiss' claims that we can be an offensive team in the Challenge Cup? Why or why not?
Imon: Yes, we can. We’ve got the players upfront to do that but then chemistry would come into play and on how well the midfield can keep the ball.
Rex: Cambodia played mostly on the break against us in the friendly last year; and from what little I saw of Brunei in the Suzuki Cup elimination round seems to indicate that they also favor a counterattacking style. Thus, I expect us to take the game to both teams; in which case Weiss is correct. I don’t know enough of Turkmenistan’s current form to offer an opinion about whether we can be gung-ho going forward against this team.
Mika: Question is, will it actually happen? I remember Weiss had lofty proclamations during the Suzuki Cup (i.e. Asian 2015), but can we reach such larger stages if we can't get an offensive game going? As for being an offensive team, we really have no choice but to be one, especially if only the winners of each group are guaranteed a spot in the next round.
Roy: Hopefully we can be more offensive for sure. The Azkals have lacked attacking flair recently and Phil Younghusband doesn't seem fully fit or sharp. Javier Patiño will hopefully help there, but the team has the potential to go out and beat any team in the Challenge Cup so it'd be nice to see them go on attack mode and try to score more than the others rather than concede as few as possible.
Jaimer: Yes we can agree on that. We never lose our trust on the captain of the ship. Given the line-up we are going to use, our front liners and midfielders can give a headache to the opposing defenders and a holiday for our defenders.
5.) Which players do you think the fans should watch out for?
Imon: Javier Patiño, Stephan Schrock, and Phil Younghusband. The main attack of the Azkals depends on them, and it is imperative that they smell each other’s game ASAP.
Rex: I don’t know an awful lot about the other teams, but about the Azkals I think all eyes will be on Stephan Schrock because he doesn’t get released often enough; and that new boy Javier Patiño if he gets selected.
Mika: Javi Patiño ---largely because of the quality that players from Spain could bring. On a personal note, I want to see if this guy lives up to the hype.
Roy: Patiño will be the centre of much attention, as will Schrock in midfield. I think Jeffrey Christiaens should get a starting place on the left wing as he's improved a lot over the last year. If he and Patrick Reichelt are given starting places on the wings, they could help create a lot of chances up front. So I wouldn't go for the players based abroad, Reichelt and particularly Christiaens are who I'd say watch out for if they're given the chance.
Jaimer: We think the fans should watch out for the debut of Javier Patino. Given the records of having scored against Cortouis (Atletico Madrid's keeper) and a chance to almost breakthrough FC Barcelona's defense, he has the capacity to score goals for the country.
6.) Which homegrown player(s) should be given a chance to play for the Azkals?
Imon: Jerry Barbaso. Disciplined defender and has the pace to overlap and create goals from crosses. Mark Hartmann. In my opinion, best player that we have who can create from set pieces – be it scoring goals or setting up teammates.
Rex: Ours is not really a quick team; so if only to provide options and variety, I would like to see Tating Pasilan and Ruben Doctora brought on board and given chances if they can fulfill training obligations. Doctora in the UFL has shown that he flourishes playing alongside a tall target man.
Mika: Does Mark Hartmann qualify as homegrown? I think that guy deserves a spot in the NT's senior squad.
Roy: As for homegrown players, at the risk of restarting the whole full-blood, half-blood debate, OJ Porteria and Mark Hartmann are the best prospects I think. Porteria is just 17 years old and given his recent displays, he could be a great star for the future and play a good role now. The experience would help him a lot. Mark Hartmann has also lit up the UFL and is probably the best performer in the league so far. He's been in the Philippines (I think before he was 18 which would make him technically homegrown according to FIFA rules) and since the start of the UFL which is why I'd call him homegrown to a certain extent. Those two in particular are both very young and can be key players for the Azkals.
Jaimer: Tating Pasilan should be given a chance to play because he is a very good player at the peak of his career. Carrying GAU on his shoulders, he never fails to amuse each and every UFL supporter regardless of the club they are supporting.
7.) In your opinion, who are our best players in these positions:
Imon: Goalkeeper: Neil Etheridge
Midfield: Marwin Angeles/Stephan Schrock
Forward: Phil Younghusband
Freekick Taker: Mark Hartmann, if he makes it to the roster.
Penalty Taker: Phil Younghusband
Rex: Based on all-time rather than current form:
Goalkeeper: Neil Etheridge
Forward: Phil Younghusband
Mika: Goalkeeper: Neil Etheridge
Midfield: Haha, I missed Schrocky! On a separate note, can I get my wish of a Stephan Schrock + Chris Greatwich pairing?!
FW, PK and FK Taker: Phil Younghusband (but we really need to improve on set pieces).
Roy: Goalkeeper: Neil Etheridge
Midfield: Stephan Schrock
Forward: Phil Younghusband
Freekick Taker: Mark Hartmann
Penalty Taker: Phil Younghusband
Jaimer: Goalkeeper: Ed Sacapano
Midfield: James Younghusband
Freekick Taker: Phil Younghusband/Chieffy Caligdong
Penalty Taker: Chieffy Caligdong/Javier Patino
8.) What can the players expect from the fans in the coming games? Can we fill-up the RMS?
Imon: The players expect the place to be filled-up and fans cheering/chanting for 90 minutes, especially for those who will be seating at the grandstand. The 3-day pass is a welcome package for those wanting to watch the games on a budget. I do feel that the event isn’t promoted enough especially for the Turkmenistan game which would be the team’s biggest game in the tournament.
Rex: There are few things I would love more than than to see the RMS filled to capacity; but remember we had the Suzuki Cup semis just last December and there were gaping spaces in the terraces. It’s a bit unfortunate that the Turkmenistan match falls on a Tuesday because this is when we will probably need the RMS sold out and noisy.
Mika: I hope we can fill RMS up, but I haven't seen it packed and filled to the rafters since the LA Galaxy match.
Roy: The team can expect a noisy crowd as always, even when the stadium isn't full there's a good amount of cheering often led by the Kaholeros. The stadium might not be full every game as some of the games are on weekdays but the tickets are cheaper this time and the fans will be cheering loudly in support. If RMS will be full, it will be for that all or nothing game at the end as that game will decide if the Philippines qualify for the Challenge Cup or not.
Jaimer: The players should expect a noisy, yet lovable 90 minutes of football especially from us, the Ultras Filipinas. We never fail to skip games of the national team no matter how busy we are on our own lives. We can fill up the RMS if we can do proper promotions and encouragement.
9.) Fearless Forecast: After 3 games, what would be our record?
Imon: We’ll win with the first two games easily. The game against Turkmenistan would end up in a draw, each team getting a goal each.
Rex: I don’t really do fearless forecasts because anything can happen in football. If just to show my trust in and support for our team, I would make an exception this one time and say 9 points for the Azkals, narrow one-goal win over Turkmenistan.
Mika: W v Brunei, W v Cambodia, D v Turkmenistan. We got a lot to prove in the March 26 match.
Roy: 7 points. 2 wins and a draw. Wins over Cambodia (2-0) and Brunei (5-0) and a 1-1 draw with Turkmenistan.
Jaimer: Fearless forecast? 2 wins and a draw. Draw will come from the match against Turkmenistan.
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