Fulham Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has returned for the Azkals a few days ago. He'll be playing with some new faces and under a new coach Hans Michael Weiss. Etheridge sees no problem playing for coach Weiss and gelling with some new blood on the team. Neil speaks his mind on the latter:
“The team being formed again late shouldn’t be a surprise as this has always happened,” Etheridge told the Philippine Daily Inquirer upon arriving in Manila Saturday night. “I’m sure that the team will bond quickly and become a stronger force.”
That's indeed good news. HOWEVA, coach Weiss isn't taking chances especially with their practices. Keeping distractions away from his boys was no easy task. Just how can you stop a pack of fangirls (and fanboys) wanting to get their autographs? They're now hot items here in the country and can you blame the players for getting that much attention? This is the type of the German coach will have to get used to. Coach Weiss stresses that his boys need to stay focused before the game:
Weiss said under this measure, the much sought-after Azkals will only be leaving their quarters for official training sessions. No more team appearances in other functions that could zap up their energy. No more hangers-on, as well.“In the first hotel we stayed in, there was too much distraction. Everytime you go to the lift, 20 people will come up and ask for autographs or pictures,” said the German mentor who was forced to transfer the in-demand Azkals to another quarters.
“You can do this for a certain period of time but the closer the match, the more we have to be focused, take our rest, sleep, and reflect on what’s supposed to happen on the pitch and not get distracted by screaming girls, however nice that might be,” he added.
Limiting the Azkals’ movements to the bare essentials is a must if they need to get past the Mongolian side, Weiss explained.
“It has to be done. We have to be 100 percent fit from the soul, mind and physical condition so the closer we get to the match, the more we should be amongst ourselves, focus and develop this tunnel vision,” he said.
Weiss added that the homestretch of camp will center on training, two hours of rest and recreation, and eating. “But we won’t accept invitations anymore from outside so for the last two days we would be tight.”
The German coach has a point. That's the least of his worries for now. After all, with close to 20, 000 (or more) fans flocking the Panaad Stadium tomorrow, expectations indeed run high for the team. The Azkals have a lot to prove in spite of their success at the 2010 Suzuki Cup:
“We have to prove that what we achieved in 2010 was not a fluke,” said team manager Dan Palami. “We know how important this match is for Philippine football, so we intend to make a good impression in front of our countrymen.”
“We have waited so long for football to touch the hearts of Filipinos and we really have the opportunity to do that,” said team captain Aly Borromeo.
While all the signs point to a victory, the Philippines’ German coach Hans Michael Weiss moved on Tuesday to temper the expectations.
“The Azkals should not be overconfident because there is still an opponent on the other side,” said Weiss.
“They [Mongolians] are a tough team as well. We know they have been preparing. We have high respect for the team.”
Weiss is wary that Mongolia could apply an overly defensive game and turn the tables on the Philippines, similar to what the Azkals did to heavy favorite Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup last December.
“There’s a tendency that they might not play very offensively,” said the PH coach. “But we will have solutions against compact, deep-standing sides.”
That's quite similar to what Azkals' Team Captain said when I spoke to him a month ago during their practice at the University of Makati -- I think.
Well, now that the stage is set for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers tomorrow, the much anticipated match between the Philippines and Mongolia is something many Filipinos will not miss. With the popularity of Football/Soccer growing rapidly fast, the Azkals carry the flag once more and are determined bring glory to the country.
The world is watching.
Go Azkals!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment