Campaign resumes

By Artchil B. Fernandez

Finally, after more than a year of suspension due to Covid-19 pandemic, the campaign of the Philippine Azkals, the men’s national football team, to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and 2023 AFC Cup in China resumes.  The last time the Azkals saw action was in November 2019.

Azkals fielded a team for the resumed qualification with nearly half of the players making their debut for the country.  Many Azkal veterans including keeper Neil Etheridge who plays in the English Premier League were out of the competition due to injuries. Newbies who received call-ups for the national team were: Jarvey Gayoso, Kevin Rey Mendoza, Bernd Schipmann, Quincy Kammeraad, Mar Diano, Jefferson Tabinas, Michael Kempter, Oliver Bias, and Mark Winhoffer.  The team was captained by Azkals’ old guard Stephan Schrock.

Due to pandemic restrictions, all matches were played in a bubble without live audience at the Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Bracketed in Group A along with China, Guam, Maldives and Syria in the second round of the joint qualification, the Philippines battled China, Guam and Maldives.

The first match with China was a much-awaited event.  In the last clash of the two teams in the home turf of the Azkals at Pana-ad Stadium, the Philippines stunned the football world when the match ended in a goalless draw.  China was the heavy favorite in that game considering it is among the top 100 teams in the world while the Philippines is outside that bracket.

The match with China began with a slow start, each side probing each other in the first ten minutes. Then China took control of the game by dominating ball possession and attacking aggressively. Sensing some chances in the right flank, China focused its offensive in that part of Philippine territory.   However, the Philippine defense held and staved-off the assaults.

Despite being the dominant side, there was less structure in the Dragons’ offensive attack and they were not able to make on-target shots. The Azkals made occasional forays deep into the Dragons’ territory while their midfield applied pressure on the opponents’ defense. The first half ended with neither team scoring a goal.

The Philippines started well in the second half by containing China. However, the dynamics of the game dramatically changed in the 54^th minute when the referee awarded a penalty to China in a highly questionable decision. The penalty was converted putting China in the driver’s seat. In the 65^th minute the Dragons again scored. The two goals sealed the Azkals’ fate and the game ended 2-0.

The Azkals had no time to rue for the result of the match against the Dragons.  They have to prepare and stay fit for their next game against Guam. In this match they are the favorites.

Deploying a 3-5-2 formation, the Azkals quickly gained the initiative when the whistle blew in the first half. Their effort was rewarded in the 12^th minute when Angel Guirado coolly slammed the ball at the back of the net, converting a pass from Oliver Bias. That goal by Angel Guirado who returned to the national team after almost a decade of absence set the pace of the game.

Guam’s players however refused to be cowed by the early goal of the Azkals. They continue to press forward, trying to break the Azkals’ momentum. Their effort failed to produce results and the first half ended 1-0 in favor of the Philippines.

An aggressive Guam which nearly equalized in the 50^th minute greeted the Azkals in the second half. Despite the heroic effort, Guam failed to make headway. One of their players doubled the score of the Azkals with an own-goal in the 61^st minute. Mark Hartman doomed Guam when he converted a free-kick in the 88^th minute. Better chemistry of the Azkals proved too much to a disciplined and organized Guam. The game ended with a sweeping victory for the Philippines, 3-0.

The last game of the Azkals against Maldives was an even match. The first half saw a see-saw battle between the two teams. Both sides had opportunities but eventually, the Philippines’ 4-2-3-1 formation prevailed in the 19^th minute when Angel Guirado scored.  It was his 12^th international goal for the Philippines. The euphoria of Guirado’s goal was quickly punctured by Maldives with an equalizer in the 25^th minute after finding a gap in the Philippine defense. Ending the first half with a 1-1 draw.

In the second half, the game became physical as both teams tried to make a breakthrough. The Azkals were getting aggressive as the game was winding up but Maldives responded with stiff resistance. Despite numerous attempts by the Azkals to score, a second goal remained elusive until the final whistle.  The game ended in a draw, 1-1.

A win, a draw, and a loss were not a bad result in the second round of qualification.  Philippines is third in Group A with Syria at the top followed by China. The result eliminated the Philippines in 2022 World Cup but made it to the third round of qualification in 2023 AFC Cup. Still a contender for the AFC Cup is a silver lining.

Another good news and development in the recent campaign is the newbies delivered.  Jefferson Tabinas was outstanding as center back and was reliable in the backline. First time Azkal goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann performed well, conceding only three goals.  Jarvey Gayoso, Mar Diano, Oliver Bias, and Mark Winhoffer shone, and they are the sparkling spots and faces of hope of the national team.

Despite the limitations and difficulties brought about by the pandemic, the Azkals continue to bring Philippine football to new heights. Given the outcome of the Azkals’ recent campaign, the future of Philippine football looks bright.