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Azkals move on to Suzuki Cup semifinals after beating Myanmar
Angel Guirado celebrates after his breakaway goal in extra time to give the Azkals a 2-0 advantage. Photo by Mark Ypon
The Azkals' remarkable run in the 2010 Suzuki Cup was a surprise. Now success is expected, after their steady improvement in the two years since they shocked the region. The Azkals' defeat of Myanmar, 2-0, on Friday to secure a semifinals berth in the 2012 Suzuki Cup in Bangkok seemed destined. They achieved the same in the last Suzuki Cup, which is played every two years.
But the win was the Azkals’ first against Myanmar in thirteen tries, proving unlucky for the Burmese side who have been replaced by the Philippines in the top tier of Southeast Asian football.
Phil Younghusband (47') and Angel Guirado (93') scored a goal each, as the Azkals defeated a dangerous Myanmar squad, 2-0, to secure a second semifinals berth in Group A of Southeast Asia's top football tournament.
After a goalless first half, Younghusband broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half from a superb Jason De Jong assist. Angel Guirado then wrapped up the win in injury time, latching on to a long ball and racing through the defense to reach the ball first and power it past the goalkeeper.
Starting lineups
Coach Weiss made some big calls ahead of the game, opting to play Patrick Reichelt on the left wing, out of his natural right midfield position, and having Denis Wolf start instead of Angel Guirado.
In Jerry Lucena’s absence, Jason De Jong and Paul Mulders started in the center while Demit Omphroy was available off the bench after recovering from the flu.
Meanwhile, Myanmar made four changes after suffering a beatdown 4-0 at the hands of Thailand. Thein Than Win came into the defense while Yan Aung Kyaw and Aung Moe bolstered the midfield. Kaung Si Thu, the nineteen year old striker, started alongside Myanmar’s biggest names in Kyi Lin and Yan Paing in attack.
The move confirmed Myanmar’s intentions to press forward and go for the win, as indeed that was their only shot of qualifying for the semi finals.
Myanmar had the first opportunity of the game when Yan Piang ghosted in on Carli De Murga to reach a cross from the right. He managed to get his head on the ball but couldn’t get it on target. Phil Younghusband, meanwhile, had several long range efforts, but Myanmar keeper Thiha Si Thu was never really tested by any of them.
Meanwhile, James Younghusband was looking tired on the right, and slipped just outside the Azkals’ box. It allowed Myanmar to work the ball wide for a cross, but the Azkals were dominant in the air as the combination of Rob Gier and Juani Guirado managed to head away every cross into the Philippines’ area.
The halftime whistle sounded to confirm a goalless first half. Both sides lacked the creativity and composure in the final third but both were going to come out fighting in the second as whoever won would qualify for the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup – a feat both countries have achieved only once before.
The second half started with the class missing from the first. Jason de Jong spread a fantastically weighted ball to Phil Younghusband on the right. Bringing down the chipped through ball, the striker’s first touch opened up the space. Beating his man, he curled into the bottom corner to put the Philippines ahead, 1-0.
The goal also notably increased the tempo of the game with Myanmar pressing much more, playing a higher line. Ed Sacapano just managed to snatch the ball from a cross, just before Kaung Sithu got to it in the 56th minute as Myanmar pressed high and threw bodies forward, knowing anything less than a win would knock them out of the competition.
After breaking down their attacks again, Angel Guirado intercepted a Burmese pass and it was two on one with Phil Younghusband in support. Angel immediately fed his strike partner, but Phil looked tired and could only win a corner.
Myanmar broke from the corner and the substitute Thet Naing drove the ball over from just outside the area in the 63rd minute.
The Azkals then almost wrapped up the win in the 66th minute when Dennis Cagara curled in a free-kick. With bodies over in space, Angel Guirado nicked a touch but the ball bounced back off the post. With Myanmar beginning to tire at the pace, the fans took turns trying to dominate the cheering with sizeable crowds in support of the Philippines and Myanmar.
Myanmar almost equalized from a corner, heading wide from the cross before five minutes of injury time were signaled. Yet it was the Azkals who scored next, wrapping up the win. Angel Guirado raced onto a long through ball and drove the ball past the keeper to send the watching spectators at the National Stadium into raptures and confirm the Philippine presence in the final four of the Suzuki Cup.
The left back had to face the majority of the Burmese attacks as Myanmar continued to pile the pressure on their right flank. Cagara time and time again stopped Kyi Lin, their dangerman, who was played out on the right for most of the match. He then began the transition from defense to attack with some superb long balls and competent passing on the ground.
As semi finalist in Group A, the Philippines will play against whoever tops Group B with that group being concluded tomorrow.
Starting lineups
Coach Weiss made some big calls ahead of the game, opting to play Patrick Reichelt on the left wing, out of his natural right midfield position, and having Denis Wolf start instead of Angel Guirado.
In Jerry Lucena’s absence, Jason De Jong and Paul Mulders started in the center while Demit Omphroy was available off the bench after recovering from the flu.
Meanwhile, Myanmar made four changes after suffering a beatdown 4-0 at the hands of Thailand. Thein Than Win came into the defense while Yan Aung Kyaw and Aung Moe bolstered the midfield. Kaung Si Thu, the nineteen year old striker, started alongside Myanmar’s biggest names in Kyi Lin and Yan Paing in attack.
The move confirmed Myanmar’s intentions to press forward and go for the win, as indeed that was their only shot of qualifying for the semi finals.
Chieffy Caligdong and Juani Guirado celebrate with Filipino fans in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Mark Ypon
First half
Myanmar had the first opportunity of the game when Yan Piang ghosted in on Carli De Murga to reach a cross from the right. He managed to get his head on the ball but couldn’t get it on target. Phil Younghusband, meanwhile, had several long range efforts, but Myanmar keeper Thiha Si Thu was never really tested by any of them.
Jason De Jong then made his presence felt in the game with a tackle and his first yellow card in the competition. The Azkals were certainly the stronger physical side, though, as Rob Gier displayed again three minutes later, shepherding Aung Moe away from a dangerous looking cross.
Dennis Cagara looked sublime at times on the left, perhaps the brightest part of the first half, as his first touch to control a pass found him space away from an attacker, before he launched an inch perfect diagonal ball for Phil Younghusband.
With Denis Wolf free on his left, the younger brother, without a goal so far in the Suzuki Cup, tried to find his strike partner but the defender managed to get a block in.
With Denis Wolf free on his left, the younger brother, without a goal so far in the Suzuki Cup, tried to find his strike partner but the defender managed to get a block in.
Paul Mulders was the next to send the Loyola forward through as his diagonal long ball found the current UFL top scorer again in space on the right. He centered the ball for the oncoming support, but Thiha in goal managed to pick out the cross and eventually gather, just managing to stop inches short of handling the ball outside the area.
The big question of the first half came in the 35th minute as Denis Wolf made way for Angel Guirado. The substitution was very early in the game and didn’t give Wolf much time to settle into his first start for the Azkals in the Suzuki Cup.
Coaches rarely make substitutions in the first half except in cases of injury, though Wolf didn’t look so affected.
Coaches rarely make substitutions in the first half except in cases of injury, though Wolf didn’t look so affected.
Meanwhile, James Younghusband was looking tired on the right, and slipped just outside the Azkals’ box. It allowed Myanmar to work the ball wide for a cross, but the Azkals were dominant in the air as the combination of Rob Gier and Juani Guirado managed to head away every cross into the Philippines’ area.
The halftime whistle sounded to confirm a goalless first half. Both sides lacked the creativity and composure in the final third but both were going to come out fighting in the second as whoever won would qualify for the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup – a feat both countries have achieved only once before.
Second half
The second half started with the class missing from the first. Jason de Jong spread a fantastically weighted ball to Phil Younghusband on the right. Bringing down the chipped through ball, the striker’s first touch opened up the space. Beating his man, he curled into the bottom corner to put the Philippines ahead, 1-0.
It was Phil Younghusband’s first goal in the Suzuki Cup, and the first Philippine goal from a striker. It put the Azkals in a comfortable position to see out the game as Myanmar now needed to press for an equalizer.
Kyi Lin broke down the right but Dennis Cagara bundled over his man to earn a yellow card, before Angel Guirado was booked for bringing down his.
Kyi Lin broke down the right but Dennis Cagara bundled over his man to earn a yellow card, before Angel Guirado was booked for bringing down his.
Myanmar made two substitutions next, trying to get back into the game, with Thein Than Win and veteran striker Yan Piang replaced by Thet Naing and Pyaye Phyo Aung. Kyi Lin was pushed forward as both substitutes came into the midfield.
The goal also notably increased the tempo of the game with Myanmar pressing much more, playing a higher line. Ed Sacapano just managed to snatch the ball from a cross, just before Kaung Sithu got to it in the 56th minute as Myanmar pressed high and threw bodies forward, knowing anything less than a win would knock them out of the competition.
After breaking down their attacks again, Angel Guirado intercepted a Burmese pass and it was two on one with Phil Younghusband in support. Angel immediately fed his strike partner, but Phil looked tired and could only win a corner.
Myanmar broke from the corner and the substitute Thet Naing drove the ball over from just outside the area in the 63rd minute.
The Azkals then almost wrapped up the win in the 66th minute when Dennis Cagara curled in a free-kick. With bodies over in space, Angel Guirado nicked a touch but the ball bounced back off the post. With Myanmar beginning to tire at the pace, the fans took turns trying to dominate the cheering with sizeable crowds in support of the Philippines and Myanmar.
Myanmar made their final substitution in the 76th minute with Soe Kyaw Kyaw coming on in place of Kaung Si Thi in the attack. It was Myanmar’s last gamble, and almost paid off instantly as he got on the end of a Yan Aung Kyaw cross. He just glanced the header wide and the Azkals retained their slim lead.
Chieffy Caligdong then came in for Patrick Reichelt in the 80th minute as the Azkals made their second substitution of the game. His first action in the game was to receive the ball from Angel Guirado on the counter and try and play in Phil Younghusband, but the pass was just too far and the goal scorer couldn’t reach it to add to his tally.
Myanmar almost equalized from a corner, heading wide from the cross before five minutes of injury time were signaled. Yet it was the Azkals who scored next, wrapping up the win. Angel Guirado raced onto a long through ball and drove the ball past the keeper to send the watching spectators at the National Stadium into raptures and confirm the Philippine presence in the final four of the Suzuki Cup.
Man of the Match: Dennis Cagara
The left back had to face the majority of the Burmese attacks as Myanmar continued to pile the pressure on their right flank. Cagara time and time again stopped Kyi Lin, their dangerman, who was played out on the right for most of the match. He then began the transition from defense to attack with some superb long balls and competent passing on the ground.
With the win, the Azkals move on to the semifinals with six points, second behind Thailand who have nine after defeating Vietnam in their third match.
The Philippines now await the result of the final matches in Group B. The Azkals will be playing the winner of Group B on December 8 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Indonesia, with four points, holds a slim lead over Malaysia and Singapore with three points each with only one match to play for all teams. - RAF/OMG/HS, GMA News
The Philippines now await the result of the final matches in Group B. The Azkals will be playing the winner of Group B on December 8 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Indonesia, with four points, holds a slim lead over Malaysia and Singapore with three points each with only one match to play for all teams. - RAF/OMG/HS, GMA News
