Azkals return to AFC Asian Cup play vs Tajikistan
THE PHILIPPINE national men’s football team takes on Tajikistan today in Group F action in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Dushanbe.
Victorious in their group play debut in March on home soil, the Philippine Azkals try to secure another three points that go with a win against the hosts to give further wind to their top two push in their grouping, which would translate to automatic qualification, if ever, for the international men’s football championship of Asia to be held in Jordan.
In its last qualifier game held at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, the Philippines defeated Nepal, 4-1, with skipper Phil Younghusband scoring a brace and Iain Ramsay and Javier Patino having a goal each.
The win came after the Azkals hit a “rough patch” in recent international competitions it joined, something they hope to make up for in the ongoing tournament.
“Our performance prior [to the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers] like in the Suzuki Cup sticks on our minds but we just have to move on. We do not pay much attention to it anymore and are counting the ones that we have now here in the Asian Cup qualifiers. We are going to work harder so as to advance to the next round,” said American Azkals coach Thomas Dooley following their win over Nepal.
For the Tajikistan game, called up for national team duties are Amani Aguinaldo, Fitch Johnson Daviz Arboleda, Misagh Bahadoran, Kenshiro Michael Daniels, Dominic Liam Del Rosario, Patrick Phillip Deyto, Kevin Ingreso, Jim Junior Muñoz and Nicholas O’Donnell.
Also part of the team are Manuel Ott, Iain Ramsay, Camelo Tacusalme, Dennis Villanueva, Nathanael Ace Villanueva, Luke Woodland, James Joseph Younghusband (Meralco Manila), Philip James Younghusband, Mike Rigoberto Ott, Javier Patino and Daisuke Sato.
Originally part of the roster were Jeffrey Christiaens and Hikaru Minegishi. But because of the injuries they suffered during the Azkals’ friendly against China last week, where they lost, 8-1, they have to sit out.
To make up for their loss, the team elevated Ruben Doctora, Jr. from the Philippines Football League.
Also missing for the Azkals is top goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who had decided to stay in club play in Europe to avoid injuries after signing a contract with Cardiff City.
Mr. Etheridge said it was something “he needed to do being a major career move” and asked for understanding just as he expressed support for the Azkals in this stretch of their campaign.
While disappointed over not having their top keeper in tow, Mr. Dooley nonetheless expressed optimism that they can hold their own and build on the win they got in their AFC Asian Cup qualifier debut.
The Philippines-Tajikistan match will be played at the Central Republican Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, beginning at 11: 55 p. m. Manila time.