Villaflor: What the Azkals need right now

FOR Azkals fans who watched the Suzuki Cup clash between Philippines and Singapore, three fourths of the match was excruciating to watch.

Much has been expected of new Azkals mentor Sven-Goran Eriksson, and for quite a long spell, not a few fans were wondering if acquiring the services of the high-profile coach was the right thing to do at this stage.

Mainly during the first half, it was as if the Philippines, unable to penetrate the defense and desperate to pull the trigger, was playing into Singapore’s hands. Because of its current form, Singapore had reverted into a mostly defensive side.

It worked for them against Indonesia, and it worked against the Philippines, at least until Patrick Reichelt broke the deadlock off a beatiful play that he finished with skill and composure.

Against Indonesia, Singapore yielded possession in favor of counterattacks — 38 percent to 62 percent — and yet the hosts managed to outshoot them 10 to five, winning by a single goal.

Singapore applied the same strategy against the Philippines, and the game did follow a similar pattern, with possession exactly the same as that of the one against Indonesia: 38 to 62. The main difference this time is that the Philippines outshot Singapore 11 to seven, with three on target and none for the visitors, who seemed content with counterattacks, if not going home with a scoreless draw.

Singapore’s use of negative football didn’t end there: the Lions have opted to play rough and dirty, racking up 24 fouls against Tim Garuda’s 17. They also outfouled the Azkals 19 to 15, their dirty tactics sending defender Luke Woodland off with an injury.

Unlike Indonesia, though, the Philippines held its own and defensively and was not to be foiled, especially in front of the home crowd. Besides, the Azkals tend to start slow and show up with teeth and claw only in the second half. And against Singapore, I think this was where Eriksson’s brilliance and experience came in.

One can only imagine what sort of pep talk the Swede gave the team, but a more efficient attacking version of the Azkals showed up in the second half. With more variety in play, the hosts became increasingly dangerous, but it took them midway in the second half to make a breakthrough. And it was beautiful.

From a throw in, James Younghusband nudged a header toward his brother Phil, who then directed a short pass on the volley to a sprinting Reichelt. Beating three defenders, one of whom was sent the wrong way while backpedalling, the striker coolly slotted the ball beneath an outstretched arm of the keeper. One-nil, and the home crowd, both relieved and ecstatic, erupted into cheers at the stands.

The Singapore coach later said the goal was the result of sloppy defending. But after watching the replay of the clip repeatedly, I’d say the goal stemmed from a perfectly executed team play.

This was the kind of creativity that the Azkals needed to win the game against a stubborn, defensively-skilled side, and the team needs more of it to have a real chance of winning the tournament.

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