How prepared are the Azkals after their Mideast tour?

For a National team it’s often difficult to get regular training time together and camps are essential to success. The Azkals have often been criticized for a lack of cohesion, defensive shape and teamwork, all of which stems from a lack of time playing together. Coach Michael Weiss previously bemoaned these problems and so here we take a look at how the training camp in the Middle East has helped or hindered the Azkals and how this will affect the chances in the Challenge Cup. Uzbekistan U23s 3, Philippines 0 The Azkals flew to Dubai to face Uzbekistan's Under-23 team, who in their previous match had beaten Australia U23s, 2-0, so this was probably the hardest game of the tour. With a mix of physical English play and short, sharp passes, the Uzbeks dominated much of the game but scored all three goals from defensive errors. The lack of defensive shape, players out of position and an unwillingness to use substitutes cost the Philippines the loss as they didn’t even look competitive in this game. It was a bad start to the campaign and the performance was met with a lot of criticism from fans who were frustrated with the recurring defensive and substitution problems. The training camp would have failed, if it ended after the game. Philippines 3, Al Ahli 1 The Philippines faced Al Ahli trying to bounce back from a disappointing start. This exhibition match had several bizarre moments in it though with an unannounced testimonial to former National team and Al Ahli keeper Hussain Al-Ammri. The first few minutes saw Phil Younghusband fire a shot which bounced off the former keeper who struggled to get back on his feet before the defense cleared. Soon afterwards he then picked up a backpass gifting the Azkals an indirect free-kick six yards from goal. Al-Ammri was quickly substituted though both teams lined up and he shook all their hands, something almost unprecedented in football. After this little break his substitution also meant that there was now only one player for Al Ahli with the number 16 as both he and an outfield player were wearing the same number. Younghusband scored the indirect free-kick and the Philippines went on to take a 2-0 halftime lead as Denis Wolf, one of the few positives in the loss to Uzbekistan, scored his first international goal. After the break Al Ahli came out in a different kit, again something very unusual for football, as the team brought on more regular players. Al Ahli started to get back into the game and were playing better passes but couldn't break through the Azkals' solid defense. A second Younghusband goal, a missed Angel Guirado penalty and a consolation for Al Ahli were the highlights of the half. All in all the team looked more improved but this game was obviously far less professional. This result may have at least given the Philippine side more confidence ahead of playing Australia. Australia U23 1, Philippines 0 Flying back to Dubai, the Australian side seemed the most technically skilled out of the three teams the Philippines faced. Passing and moving well they had a definite style and with little early pressure from the Philippine players both teams were camped in the Azkals' half. However the Australians could only manage to score once through Jason Hoffmann's header after some great work on the left wing by Aziz Behich. Oliver Borzanic was clearly offside, however, unsighting Neil Etheridge in goal. The Azkals defense looked much more organized and stopped Australia creating any other clear cut chances in the first half. At the interval Weiss decided to use bring in Martin Doctora for Ian Araneta and the early substitution worked well. Opening up in the second half the Azkals stopped parking the bus and Weiss' other substitutions, Lexton Moy and Joshua Beloya, created the best chance the Philippines had. The Azkals even dominated the game's final 10 minutes and on another day may have equalized. Challenge Cup The whole point of this training camp was obviously to prepare for the Challenge Cup. The U23 national sides are the best comparisons as Australia U23s last game against a senior international side was Vietnam who they beat 2-0. Uzbekistan U23s only lost two games against international sides in 2012 and 2011, both against South Korea U23s who in January this year outclassed the senior sides of Norway and Thailand and drew with Denmark 0-0. Basically what this all adds up to is that Uzbekistan U23s and Australia U23s are roughly better opposition than Tajikistan and India's senior sides. Though the Azkals lost both games these are tune ups for the matches in March and with all the players involved getting regularly club football they'll stay fit before the team regroups less than a month from now. The partnerships formed over this camp will be invaluable; Jason Sabio and Luis Guirado improved at the back after a shaky start while Marwin Angeles showed some great passing and Wolf looks good with just about any of the strikers he was paired with. The match against Uzbekistan U23s wouldn’t have given much hope with the same problems blighting the team. However the progress throughout the camp was encouraging and if the Azkals can show the same grit and determination as they did against Australia they will always have a chance. The team will hope to keep that progress going until March. Losing heavily and being outclassed will be unacceptable but strong performances even if losing will still be progress in a tournament in which the Philippines are the lowest seed. If the team can continue to fight hard, though, they will always have an outside shot of success in Nepal. The Philippines will host Malaysia on February 29 as the final preparation before the Challenge Cup. — GMA News