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Azkals – Azerbaijan Postgame Thoughts: Patience, please

The Azerbaijanis gave us a lesson in waiting. This wasn't a particularly fun opponent. Unlike last Saturday, when a feisty, lively, counterattacking Malaysia enthralled fans with uptempo play, this European squad displayed a far different approach in defeating the Philippines 1-0.

Azerbaijan was plodding and patient as they shuffled the ball back-and-forth among the members of the back four. They probed, they hemmed, they hawed, and they at times seemed to want to lull the Philippines to sleep. Berti Vogt's team showed the patience of Job in playing risk-averse Football.

It wasn't pretty. The Philippines did not press the Azerbaijani ball-handlers. That would have been pointless, since they are great on the ball and have good spacing. Rushing up them would have resulted in either a quick escape via a dribble or a neat outlet pass to safety. I suspect Azerbaijan got 65% of the possession, maybe even 70% at times.

The Europeans didn't show tremendous skill once they did have possession deep in our half. Apart from the goal, a very fine header from either Elvin Yunuszade or or Rufat Dadashov, there was little offensive spark. UAE, who beat us last year, might have ripped this team to shreds.

Ironically, it's the Philippines and the Azkals fans who need to be patient now. Yes, two games have passed without a goal. But that's no reason to stop watching the team because...

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There were solid performances all over the park for the Azkals. In hindsight I was silly to suggest that the partnership of Juani Guirado and Rob Gier should have been split up for this game. The two veterans were fine. This wasn't a game that needed breakneck speed. Their height, positioning, and muscle largely neutralized the Azerbaijanis. Simone Rota and Jeff Christiaens did a very good job shutting down the wings and bringing the ball forward.

Stephan Schrock might not have been his usual outrageous self but he did play the role of platinum-blonde pest for the Philippines. There were moments of brilliance but an in-form Azerbaijani defense always seemed to have an answer.

Martin Steuble seems to have settled very well with the squad and could be the future for Thomas Dooley in the center of the midfield.

The Philippines were clearly the better side in the second half, but just couldn't break through.

But what's more important is that the team in spurts played well together. Once again Dooley's fingerprints were very evident in the way the Pinoys passed the ball, mostly on the ground, and moved without it. It was a continuation of the performance against the Harimau Malaya on the weekend. (By the way, Malaysia also played yesterday and I am told impressed in defeating Yemen 2-1.)

Unfortunately the Azerbaijanis got the better of our strike force. Phil Younghusband had only one half-decent strike, a long-range half-volley that was on target but easily gathered by keeper Salahat Aghavev. Phil is obviously not 100% since he spent much of Thursday night clutching his ankle.

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There was also little joy for Javi Patiño, who just was unable to wriggle free and contribute. Part of me wanted Dooley to bring Balot Doctora in for him in the last 20 minutes just to have some fresh ideas.

The reality is, this is how teams defend at this level. Organized, disciplined, muscular, and very much playing as a unit. You just don't find the holes that you see in most of the over-100-in-the-rankings set.

Now we know why teams like to bring three keepers to every match, even friendlies. Not 48 hours before kickoff, the news broke that an ill Roland Müller would not make the trip. That left the Azkals with exactly one goalie in the roster, Patrick Deyto. The Green Archer did well, although apart from the goal (not his fault) there was little work in terms of shot-stopping.

At times bringing three keepers seems superfluous, but not on Thursday. Had Deyto been injured, Dooley would have needed to insert a field player between the sticks. (It could have been OJ Porteria, who I am told is handy with the gloves.)

Now it seems clear that two goalies is at times not enough. It's always best to tag along a third keeper for emergencies. And besides, even if the third keeper does not play, he will benefit from the training and the entire process, especially if he is a youngster.

This was a bad, bad, bad game for the casual fans. I can imagine all of the non-fanatic Azkals fans now feeling a bit duped. What? 180 minutes and nary a goal to show for it? Will they bother tuning in next time?

I sincerely hope we have more exciting fixtures coming up. We need goals. Sadly that is all about 90% of the newbie Football fans appreciate and understand. Everything else is meaningless. Fans weaned on a lifetime of Basketball need their gratification at least once in a match.

We also need home games in Manila to bring back that home field vibe. Not since last March's Challenge Cup qualifiers have we played a match in our capital. Rizal Memorial cant get turfed fast enough.

Meanwhile the Azkals nation must wait. Patience is a virtue, in life and in Football.

Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.