Thursday, May 15, 2008 Azkals eye 2nd win vs. Tajikistan
ILOILO CITY - The Philippines tries to put a lock on the top spot in Group B in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers when it clashes with defending champion Tajikistan at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
The Filipinos nipped a hard-fighting Brunei side, 1-0, in the opener Tuesday and a victory in the 3:30 p.m. match today will move them on the brink of the qualification to the main tournament in Hyderabad, India from July 30 to Aug. 10.
But national coach Norman Fegidero thinks it’s not going to be easy for the Filipinos, noting that Tajikistan is the most experienced and highest-ranked team in the tournament.
“Tajikistan is the team to beat,” Fegidero said yesterday, while presiding over the training session. “If we survive them, our chances of qualifying will be very high”.
“We are hoping for an upset”.
Tajikistan, which defeated Sri Lanka for the title in the maiden edition of the tournament in Bangladesh two years ago, trounced Bhutan, 3-1, for its first win at the Barotac Nuevo Football Plaza Tuesday. The Tajikistanis have three points — the same with the Filipinos — but have a better goal difference.
Brunei and Bhutan collide in the other game at the Barotac Nuevo Sports Complex.
Weather
Fegidero is hoping the weather gets better for today’s match, citing his team’s difficulty to push forward during the first game because of the poor condition of the pitch that was caused by intermittent rains the past few days.
Emelio Caligdong, relishing his new role as team captain, has vowed a stellar showing by their team against the Tajikistanis.
“Definitely, we will go all-out against them,” Caligdong, who scored the game-winning goal against Brunei, said.
Fegidero said there will be one or two changes in his starting 11 for today’s game. “I might make some adjustments up front and at the wing”. (PFF Media Bureau)
