Myanmar 3, Azkals 2 Postgame thoughts: a Gutsy Display in Defeat
Image copyright Bob Guerrero.
The Philippines fails in their bid to win a third straight Peace Cup. What’s on my mind after this tough finals loss in extra time.
We sort of got what we asked for. The PFF made the bold, difficult, but correct decision to invite two tough squads to this year’s competition in Myanmar and Palestine. The previous two years had seen a lot of lower-ranked sides coming over. This year we ran the risk of losing the title but we would be tested. So there, that’s pretty much what happened.
This loss is partly due to our unwillingness to win a competition against inferior teams. From that point of view, the loss is understandable and acceptable.
There is no shame in falling short to this Myanmar team. I bumped into Guam NT coach Gary White in the VIP section at half time of the game. He was very impressed with Myanmar forward Kyaw Ko Ko. He asked me where he played club football, and I said ‘Myanmar.’
“Really? I’m going to make some phone calls. I have friends in England who are coaches.”
Whether or not Ko Ko makes it to the British Isles, it’s clear that he is quality. His game-reading skills are advanced, he is shifty and unpredictable, and he is a team player too. His goal was not luck, it was a calculated attempt after seeing Roland Müller ever so slightly off his line.
Ko Ko also figured in the winning goal with an incisive run and center from the right flank.
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Myanmar has a solid keeper, a very tough, organized defense, and gifted, fit, selfess players like Kyaw Zayar Win, Ko Ko, Tin Win Aung, David Htan, and super sub Min Min Thu.
They also have a great coach in Raddy Avramovic, even if his sending-off was silly. At the awarding ceremony you could see how the players cheered when Avramovic went up to get his medal. The affection was evident. The Serb is a proven winner and his side will sail through qualifying and be a threat in the Suzuki Cup final stage.
How about the interesting selections by Thomas Dooley? Dooley went with a new-look back four, with Daisuke Sato at left back, Rob Gier in central defense alongside Simone Rota, who replaced Amani Aguinaldo. Rota is usually a right back with the Azkals but I understand he has plenty of experience in central defense too. Once again Kenshiro Daniels, usually an attacking player, played right back.
I wasn’t able to attend the post game press conference and I haven’t spoken to Dooley about this at length. I can only try and understand his point of view from watching the game.
Why the untested/out of position Daniels at right back? Maybe he really wanted young legs there. If so, why not Carlie De Murga, who has played plenty of right back for the Philippines? Maybe Dooley doesn’t think he is fit enough? I really can’t say.
The choice of Daniels is also curious because there are other options beside De Murga. Anton Del Rosario has performed well many times at that spot. He didn’t get on the pitch in either game. Simon Greatwich can also play right back, I believe.
Daniels actually had a good 90 minutes, bombing forward, making himself useful, showing great skill on the ball and tidying up. But on the third Myanmar goal, Daniels failed to corral Soe Min Oo (although we must say, others must shoulder the blame for the goal as well.)
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Would a more experienced defender have been able to shut that guy down and force a penalty shootout? The answer is a big maybe. It can never really be proven.
Another option would have been to leave Amani at central defense and bring Rota back out to right back. But for whatever reason, Dooley didn’t trust the 19-year old with the start in this game.
Coach Thomas has the best view of things, and obviously knows more about this game than almost all of us. So we must trust him. But the fact remains: Dooley went with a back four combination never before seen by Azkals fans in a cup final. The combination allowed two late goals, and the team lost.
The PFF needs to relax its restrictions with its hardcore fans. The stadium code of conduct forbade large flags and banners. That meant that the entreaty of the Kaholeros supporters group to allow in their gigantic flag fell on deaf ears.
I can understand where the PFF is coming from. There are instances of nastiness and violence with fan groups all over the world in this game. People have died and been injured at football games. We hope that never happens here.
But it mystifies me why the big flag was nixed. When I’ve seen that flag flow over fans during the national anthem, I’ve always gotten goose bumps. It’s a real booster to the team. After the anthems the flag is put away. How can something that is shown for a full three minutes be considered dangerous or threatening?
The other supporters group, the Ultras Filipinas, say that bouncers stayed close to them for the two Peace Cup games. They were also told to leave a large banner at home for Saturday’s game, and they complied.
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The Ultras may have a reputation based largely on their name. (Ultras in other countries and clubs have been known to be violent.) But to my recollection, the Ultras Filipinas have never caused any trouble in Azkals games. All they do in Azkals games is make a hella lot of non-stop noise and jack up the atmosphere in a big way.
The most remarkable moment after the game: when a group of players walked over to where the Ultras were and applauded them. By the way, these weren’t the Azkals, these were the Palestinians. They obviously appreciate great fans when they see them.
The PFF should see that young, energetic groups like the Kaholeros and Ultras Filipinas bring badly-needed energy to home games and help give our team an edge. PFF should be encouraging these groups, not reining them in, especially since they have no record of misbehavior at Philippines home games.
My tip to the PFF’s leadership: invite a few leaders of the Kaholeros and Ultras for a lunch meeting. Then the groups can air each others’ points of view in an amicable, constructive manner. There should be some give-and-take, and there can be agreement on how to move forward so everyone wins. That shouldn’t be too hard.
Another boo-boo of the organizers: the scoreboard placed in the center of the bleachers. I have been receiving complaints on social media about it. Hundreds of fans’ views were affected. And what if the game totally sold out and fans had no choice but to sit there?
This is how it looks from the bleachers. As you can see, you have to get pretty far out to the side before you have an unobstructed view of the goal.
Image copyright Bob Guerrero.
How about that Sato kid? 2014 has been a banner year for the Filipino-born, Japan-raised left back. He has helped the Philippines get a silver medal in the Challenge Cup, has won a UFL league title with Global and has now opened his international scoring account with a cracking long-range goal.
I really dig Daisuke. He wears his heart on his sleeve. It was reported that after the Challenge Cup final loss to Palestine he lingered on the field the longest, perhaps ruminating on what might have been. When Global clinched the UFL league with a win against Pachanga, all of his team mates were whooping it up. But what was Sato doing? Bawling like a baby. Probably a mix of tears of joy and tears of pride at how he contributed to the title.
Daisuke Sato is the present and the future at left back, and Azkals fans should be thrilled. His pace, work rate, composure and decision-making are top-drawer.
If we celebrated Gilas losses like they were wins, maybe we can do so for the Azkals too? The team worked very hard and showed tremendous character in coming back from 1-0. They fell short, but the road to football success is always rutted and winding. Setbacks are to be expected.
In my opinion, when a team gives its all for the nation, it’s ALWAYS enough. I saw that on Saturday night. That’s why I’m proud of this team and committed to supporting them going forward.
Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.
