Love the GAME. Go get ’em, Azkals
Azkals in crucial must-win situation against Thailand, a team PH hasn’t beaten in 44 years
WITH their backs against the wall, the Philippine Azkals must do what the country has never done before—beat defending champion Thailand tonight at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan to advance to the semifinals of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2016.
“This game could be our last game in the tournament, but it is the most important for us because we need to win to get to the next round,” Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley said of the team’s current situation in a report at The AFF Suzuki Cup website.
Based on the records at Fifa. com, the Philippines and Thailand has played 18 times, with Thailand winning 16 games. The Philippiens drew Thailand in the first leg in the 2014 Suzuki Cup but lost, 3-0, in the second leg.
The last time the Philippines won was in 1972, 1-0, in Jakarta.
The Philippines is still fighting for the other semifinal slot in Group A with Singapore and Indonesia. The Azkals has a slight advantage over both Indonesia and Singapore because the Philippines has two points, while both have a point each. A win should secure the Philippines a slot in the semifinals.
The Philippines will still advance if it manages to hold Thailand to a draw and the Singapore vs. Indonesia, which will be played simultaneously at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, also ends in a draw. In that scenario, the Philippines will finish with three points, while both Singapore and Indonesia will have two points each.
However, it wont be that easy, as Thailand vowed not to take the Philippines lightly despite already taking the first semi-final slot of Group A.
“Although we are through to the next round, tomorrow’s game is important,” said Thailand coach Kiatisuk ‘Zico’ Senamuang. “Our goal is three points, same as the last two games. We will change some players since we have a squad of 23 and they are all strong. There are Fifa ranking points up for grabs in this tournament, so we will still be doing our best.”
This match should define the Philippines, if the squad is at par with regional powerhouse Thailand.
“These are the games play- ers and coaches look forward to. Thailand are a country we look up to as a team. They have a lot of fans supporting them and great youth development; the players coming out are in a position to play at a higher level,” Dooley said. “Our plans for Philippines are to get to the next level and to get there we need to get to the final.”