PHILIPPINE men’s football team head coach Thomas Dooley remained optimistic and happy with how his players performed Wednesday night against Malaysia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Though the friendly ended with a scoreless draw, the Azkals mentor turned his focus on the real deal on March 28 against Nepal for the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers. Dooley has five days left to address the needed adjustment before the next match against the Nepalese.
Opposing Malaysian coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee was also satisfied with the result as they were able to put up a good fight on what he considered an almost full-strength Philippine side.
The home side managed to run a number of decent goal chances in the early part of the game, but was unable to complete their chances. Meanwhile, the visitors were just successful in denying the Azkals offensive play.
The home side turned more aggressive in the second half with better ball movement but, like the first 45 minutes, the Filipinos failed to send their offense beyond the Malaysian defense.
With the even result, both teams now have figured in their fifth stalemate face-off. The last time the Philippines won against Malaysia was in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games.
Scorer of the lone goal in that game was then national team striker and now head coach of the University of St. La Salle Norman Fegidero Jr.