AZKALS NEED RIGHT PLAYERS, STRATEGY
Two top Cebuano coaches say Philippines has a great chance in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers Coaches urge Thomas Dooley to focus on attack and put players in ‘their right position’
If the Azkals have the right players along with the right strategy, there is a huge chance that the Philippine National Men’s Team will get past the final round of qualifiers for the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup according to two of Cebu’s best coaches.
“I think we can get them on. We have a huge chance to qualify especially if our players are healthy and we are complete. Those teams are not that tough but we need to prepare for a longer time because the Asian Cup has a different level of competition. Especially if our players are healthy and we are complete,” said Oliver Colina, the coach of the Aboitiz Cup men’s open defending champion Leylam FC. “I know (Thomas) Dooley can prepare this team well.”
The Azkals are in Group F along with Tajikistan, Yemen and Nepal.
“If two teams will qualify to the next round, then we have a huge chance. But if only one, then I think they should be eyeing Tajikistan, if they will win. But it all boils down to the Azkals’ line up,” said University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) coach Eleazar Toledo.
The top two teams in the six groups will join the 12 countries who qualified early in the 2019 Asian Cup.
Toledo feels that there must be changes in the team after that disappointing group stage exit by the Azkals in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup last year, if the Azkals want to be successful. Both Toledo and Colina believe that we need our best players to suit up in this tournament.
“We have a big chance to qualify but we have to focus more on our attacking,” said Toledo. “It should be (the best players), but then again go back to the board room and put players in where they are strong. A 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 formation is the best and work on the wing attack and combine up front with Phil ( Younghusband) or ( Javier) Patino, if he is available. (Misagh) Bahadoran and (Stephan) Schrock are effective in a 4-3-3 formation.”
Toledo feels that some players were off position in the Suzuki Cup, which caused the Philippines a slot in the next round.
With the Philippines Football League ( PFL) opening in March, Colina doubts that our best players will be available for the Azkals.
“The only problem right now is the PFL will start on March. I know some of the clubs won’t let the national team borrow their players,” he said. /
We have a big chance to qualify but we have to focus more on our attacking ELEAZAR TOLEDO