The final result of the game between the Azkals and Palestine was ended in a draw without a goal from both sides. Tremendous defense have it all during the entire game. Both teams have their own chances but all slipped away. The tall Palestinians have plenty of goal scoring chances during the first half but the goalie of the Azkals Neil Etheridge were always there to deny them the much needed points.
Neil Etheridge the Fulham based reinforcement by the Azkals have suffered earlier with dehydration that worried the entire Philippine delegation for his presence was highly needed on this kind of situation. Although he had recovered and delivered the way the Filipinos were expecting the kind of game from him.
Weak attacked from the Philippine Azkals during the first half have often resulted to a quick retaliation and counter-attacked by the Palestinian that put the Azkals on defensive form.
Chances have also fallen for the Azkals during the second half of play it was just delivered weakly by Chieffy Caligdong from three yards blocked after a cut back from James Younghusband from the right.
One of the factors that affects the Azkals game on my own opinion was the fact that they have added new faces to their line-up, the entry of Angel Guirado although proved fruitful was one of them. Football is a team game you have to be familiarize with your team mates. Jerry Lucena was also a new member that have been inserted in midfield.
Those players I have mentioned earlier although have the talents and capacity to bring more international experience with the team were newcomers and need to have more practice with the teams to harmonized with the present rhythm of the Azkals.
After the game, German coach Hans Michael Weiss was quoted as saying “Im satisfied with the results, I have seen a very strong Palestine team that we really had to endure. it was not an easy match.”
With the scoreless draw the Azkals were now in a do or die situation for their third scheduled matched against Bangladesh on Friday. A win for the Azkals will bring them to the next round of the AFC Challenge Cup.
The latest standings of the four teams were as follows: Palestine – 4 points, Bangladesh – 3 points, Philippines – 2 points, and Myanmar – 1 point.