The Philippine Star

Azkals favored against Guam

- – Olmin Leyba

Match today (Guam FA National Training Center, Guam) 3:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. Manila time) – Guam vs Philippine­s

After fumbling in their opening assignment, the Philippine Azkals look to get their bid in the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup Joint Qualifiers going with a victory on the road today against lightweigh­t Guam.

The Azkals suffered a heavy 2-5 defeat at the hands of higher-ranked Syria in the Group A kickoff match in Bacolod last Thursday and are eager to redeem themselves by taking maximum points against the fellow winless Matao.

The away match is set at 3:30 p.m. at Guam FA National Training Center in Dededo, Guam (1:30 p.m. in Manila).

Philippine stirker Javier Patino, who actually drew first blood for the Azkals in their home loss to the Syrians, said they’re taking the positives from that experience.

“The positive thing is how we started that game. We scored a goal in the first 15 to 20 minutes. We played with intensity but after the goal, we relaxed a little,” the Fil-Spaniard was quoted in the Asian Football Confederat­ion website. “I think something good is coming.”

The Pinoy booters won their two previous meetings with Guam.

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