Philippines 1, Kuwait 2: another fighting display from the Azkals
My postgame thoughts on the loss in Kuwait.
The Azkals get good marks in its stiffest test yet in the lead-up to Suzuki. This game was played at a frenetic pace. It was like Football on Meth. The Kuwaiti team has a motor that hummed on its redline for 90 minutes. But they were also technically superb in controlling the ball and creating lovely passing sequences. And yet amazingly, the Philippines went toe-to-toe with the home team for much of the game. Kuwait were better and did deserve to win but unlike 2011, we made them sweat. The comment that encapsulated the game best was one from Darren Hartmann, who said "last year, because of the speed, we were outclassed. Today, we lived with them."
Props to whoever is in charge of conditioning for the team, whether it be Michael Weiss or his assistants. All of those exhausting training sessions paid off last night.
This was a great game for the team to schedule. It will be a harbinger of the kind of competition we can expect in Bangkok.
Neil gets the Man Of The Match plum by a wide margin. The Bristol Rovers keeper made his second penalty save of the year in the 26th minute. It was just the highlight of a magnificent evening. He came up with a gem of a save four minutes earlier. Seven minutes from time Neil positioned himself so well in a 1v1 that the Kuwaiti striker was forced to place his shot and missed the frame narrowly. A great goalkeeper can mask a team's deficiencies and Etheridge did just that. But....
If he isn't sure to play in Bangkok, should he have started? I admit that I don't know if Muller was available with this game. I also am not sure if Muller or Etheridge is sure for Bangkok. My understanding is that the Fil-German has a better chance of making it. If that is the case, and that is a big "if," then Muller should have started, to prepare the team better for the Suzuki Cup. But of course, all will be known soon.
Juani Guirado has filled the gaps in centerback well, but he looked clumsy in giving up the first-half penalty. Bader Al-mutwa was nowhere near kicking the ball, and was at an acute angle anyway from what I recall, when Juani barged into him from behind. It was an easy penalty, and easy yellow card for the ref.
The play illustrated for me just how important the center back position is on any team. It is the last sentry for the defense before the goalkeeper. Our hopes in Suzuki Cup just might rest at this spot. With Jason Sabio nursing a groin injury and Aly Borromeo still recovering from meniscus surgery, Juani and Rob Gier, both north of thirty, may have to step up big in Bangkok if we are to come out of a murderous group.
Incidentally, Myanmar did win the qualifying heat last Saturday and will face us on November 30.
What about them second-half penalties? The referee pointed to the spot twice, one each for both teams in the second half and neither was clear-cut. In the Philippine penalty, we saw two replays, neither of which was conclusive about the intentionality of handball. In the first angle, another player blocked the offender, in the second, the camera was panning and the handballer was but a blur.
For me the Kuwait penalty was more unjust. It appeared like our man (Juani?) stuck his foot out to clear the ball and the Kuwaiti decided to trip over the outstretched foot.
Jason Sabio said it best; it is always the referee's discretion in tough calls. The plays showed how tough it is to be a referee. We couldn't make our minds up on the play even in slow-motion, while the ref must decide in an instant. At any rate the penalties in the second half canceled each other out.
Times they are a changing. Did we think we would see the day when Phil Younghusband would not start a game and James would not be one of the subs? That's how fickle and capricious International Football is. There is such huge competition now on almost all positions. Maybe a months into 2013 there will be yet another revolving door swinging, with yet more new faces.
Now, more than ever, becoming an Azkal is a case of "what have you done for me lately?" And by "lately" we don't mean two years ago.
You can follow Bob on Twiitter @bhobg333.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.
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