Azkals’ win vs Lions a good sign for AFF Suzuki Cup bid

Philippine Azkals head coach Hans Michael Weiss said the team’s  second friendly win against an improved Singapore Lions side is a good morale booster that will hopefully carry the team in their campaign against Thailand on Nov. 24 in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Philippines is bracketed with Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar in Group A.

Team manager Dan Palami said earlier that for the upcoming Suzuki Cup, the Philippines will be able to field its strongest lineup because the team now has a deep bench that would give Weiss various options.

Weiss said he was happy with the way some of his players perfofrmed in the team’s 1-0 win over Singapore at the Cebu City Sports Center last Thursday and hopes he will be getting the best out of them again in the Suzuki Cup game. He particularly cited Ian Araneta, Christopher Greatwich and Cebuano Ray Anthony Pepito Jonsson.

The German coach also reiterated that the team is not all about Phil and James Younghusband, adding that there were other players who have really been playing well especially the younger ones.

Weiss said he wants his boys to be more aggressive on the ball and not be content with just defending, just like what happened during the first half of their friendly match against Singapore.

NO FINAL

LINEUP YET

Weiss said that they are still in the early phases of coming up with the 22-man lineup that he has to submit a day before their opening match in the Suzuki Cup.

Palami said choosing the 22 is a difficult decision as the options available to the coaches are now wider.

Weiss said he has to first see who among the European-based players will be able to make it for the tournament.

The team will likely be missing goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after Rovers manager announced that he won’t be going to Bangkok. The team, however, has yet to hear from Etheridge himself.

According to Weiss, he has confidence in Ed Sacapaño, whose performance in the win against Singapore really pleased him.

With Weiss opting for a younger lineup against Singapore, coach Graeme MacKinnon, a Cebu Sports Hall of Fame awardee for football,  said it shows that the Azkals mentor is now confident with the younger players.

“Hats off to Weiss, he has been bloody minded as he has fast tracked players to international standard, which we didn’t have before and he will continue to tweak that squad and be on the lookout for players he can add to the squad.”