The Philippine team will be battling it out against one of the most formidable team in the Middle East but the Filipinos who have been tag as the underdog on this match have prepared a lot for a possible upset. The game plan and preparation have made the Azkals as a team to beat. If the team could hold the Kuwaiti’s strong offensive game they will have a better chance for their next game in Manila.
Team manager Dan Palami of the Philippine Azkals was also aware that the Kuwaiti National Football Team were considered as the stronger team compare to the Philippine team unlike the previous matches against Sri Lanka were they were considered as favorite to win. He was quoted as saying “It seems that the consensus of the Kuwaiti football community is that it will be at least 4-nil for them.” Palami said.
The Philippine Azkals have stayed at the Movenpick Hotel and Resort. Palami further adds that “We look at this as a challenge. We know we’re the underdogs. But even if we’re coming in as underdogs, we’ll make sure that they don’t leave out of the pitch unscathed and show them that this team is team they can’t take for granted.” team manager Palami stated.
The Philippine Azkals were studying every movements the Kuwaiti National Football team have doing in their previous games against Middle Eastern team. They were also studying the video tapes obtained when Kuwait played against China.
The strength of Al-Azraq came from their strong offensive team spearheaded by three national football players of Kuwait namely, forward Bader Al-Mutwa, midfielders Waleed Ali and one of the highly touted football player in the Middle East, Fahad Al Enezi.
According to the German coach of the Philippine Azkals, Hans Michael Weiss he was still confident that the Azkals could match the strength of the Kuwaiti National Team. He was quoted as saying, “If we can transfer onto the pitch the game plan we prepared for a full 90 minutes.” there is a good chance, said Weiss.
He further adds that “We have studied the opponent very carefully and I think the players know exactly who they’re dealing with and how we have to prevent the opponent to get into its flow of play. That would be the most crucial point-to be very aggressive and tight and not to let them start their game and that is a thing that takes 90 minutes.” the optimistic Azkals coach said.
Meanwhile various groups of Filipino individuals and community leaders have made enormous efforts to make the Azkals feels that they were playing at home. Spearheaded by the Philippine Emb(–foul word(s) removed–)y in Kuwait and various OFW organization in Kuwait the supports for the Philippine Azkals were already taking place. Thousands of Filipinos were expected to watch live the game between the Azkals and Kuwait National Football Team.