Armchair General! The Philippines vs UAE prematch chat

The UAE team

Pic belongs and credited to: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/afc-apologises-for-online-uae-football-mistake--476904.html

As preparation for my "Armchair Generalship"  for the UAE match I watched a few games, among them the 2012 match vs Bahrain, Kuwait, the DPRK(North Korea) then ending with both games of our PFPC 2013 match(to see our teams new tendecies, strengths and weakness. In this write up I"ll be focusing more on the game versus, Kuwait and Bahrain for the simple reason that they are a similar middle eastern team with a high ranking differential with us and, against DPRK because in recent years they ARE the highest ranking team we've ever played.

Prior to the game against Bahrain and Kuwait, an interview was taken by an Azkal defender and said in a nutshell that; they will NOT play very defensive as they want to know where they stand in the game itself and if we bunch this statement up with Weiss' oft stated wish to turn the Azkals into an offensive machine it is perhaps no surprise that taken as a whole the team did just that. For better or worse no more "parking the bus" for these Hans Michael Weiss led Azkals.

Below are the initial starting lineups. The only differences are some starters were not included either because of injury, fitness issues due to a previous injury or in the case of the Younghusbands in the middle east tour, disciplinary in nature. 

2012 Azkal goals and other stuff

Pic is credited and borrowed from http://www.goal.com/en-sg/match/96670/vietnam-vs-philippines/preview

* Ok sorry I'm almost a year late but here it is anyway. Who scored when and where and who assisted, goal keepers who blocked penalty kicks in 2012 etc!

February 29 2012
FIFA Friendly
Rizal Memorial Stadium/ Philippines 1-1 Malaysia
1)Wolf, Denis 33:44 - Assist from a Jason Sabio throw-in(1st International goal).

Denis Wolf - 1st International Cap
Juani Guirado - 1st International Cap.

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Challenge Cup 2012
Kathmandu, Nepal

March 9 2012
Philippines 0-2 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea(North Korea)

Etheridge, Neil - Blocked a penalty kick.

March 11 2012
Philippines 2-0 India
1)Younghusband, Phil 10:00 - Assist, James Younghusband from a Sabio long throw-in(19th international goal).
2)Younghusband, Phil 72:31 - Assist, James Younghusband(20th international goal).

How much is an Azkal worth, the 2013 edition.

Credit pic to: http://philnews.ph/2011/03/22/azkals-vs-myanmar-1-1-heartbreaking-draw-and-game-highlights/myanmar/

One of the most popular blogs I've ever produced is last years transfer market( here ) amount for our foreign based Azkal players, so I thought I'd update for you curious sort.

Philippines vs Pakistan, Redemption

Pic from footballpakistan.com

First things first, congratulations to the coach, staff, managers and players for winning the PFPC trophy! 

It was a welcome sight to see the team bounce back from a dismal result against Chinese Taipei. A game where the game plan was found wanting with too much imagination and not enough real substance.

PFPC 2013 Azkals vs Chinese Taipei. The Wiking aftermath

Pic credit to philstar.com. http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4219/4mow.jpg

"...I want to play very offensive, umm, very interesting style of football..." this is what our great coach has said in an interview prior to the game. This was the same thing he basically said in 2011 when he took over the reigns of the national team, the Azkals. Unfortunately the Philippines' later quality as a defensively tough and tenacious team has seemingly been paid little attention to by this head coach.

Philippines vs Singapore, not your whipping boy anymore!

Excellent results for the Azkals last tune up game before the much anticipated AFF Suzuki Cup. Another historic first against a long time Philippine foil is just what the doctor ordered as at the very least the players and coaches comes into the "Group of Death" in a positive and winning mindset, and not against minnows, mind you.

Azkals vs The Reds(Bahrain) A time for old men

The Red *

Sure you'd always want to be positive when rooting for your national team. Sure you know that it would be a mighty undertaking. Maybe deep down, you felt they'd probably lose because, well, it's just that the numbers call for a loss. They're the big boys after all and were the new guys trying to get a foot in the door. But sometimes while you may not get what you want, you'll get what you deserve. And we did! 

PFPC Azkals vs the Matao, in with the old, in with the new!

Patrick Reichelt's moment of glory*

I'm not going to do the typical game report as there are numerous accounts already available, I also promised myself I won't rant about both Younghusband's "situation" with the team management, so I won't. It'll be the typical Wiking player performance rants and a few random thoughts.

Azkal foreign based players report - September 2012

Here's a quick post-week reader for all you Azkal fans who follow our foreign based national team members.

Neil Etheridge(Bristol Rovers) - After a quick announcement by Fulham, Neil was shipped to League 2(4th tier) English outfit, the Bristol Rovers who are currently languishing at 23 of the 24 team league. Neil's presence quickly produced some acceptable results as they had their first cleansheet of the season after 7 league games. Next up for "The Gas" is an away game against powerhouse and current 3rd placer Exeter City on the 29th.

RELEGATION! for Ray Jónsson's GRINDAVÍK

So it's final then, Ray Jónsson's UMF  Grindavík is, or rather will be relegated to the 1.Dield for the next(2013) season. Unlike last year when the team was saved by the "skin-of-their-teeth" that same luck would not continue on to this season.

ANGEL GUIRADO'S Salgaocar FC wins 1st game of the Indian Fed Cup

Angel Guirado/Salgaocar FC/Indian League/India(1st tier)

Today was Salgaocar FC's first game after signing Angel Guirado. It was a Federation(Indian) Cup match against fellow I-League team and big transfer market spender, Prayag United SC.

Azkals vs The Lions: History made!

Yes, this pic is used with permission :)

I'm not gonna write about how the match went, everyone has already, but let me just say for those who were unfortunate enough to miss it, it was history in the making! In my mind it should rank up there with the "Hanoi miracle", the 3rd place win in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup and above the 2010 draw with Singapore!