ANALYSIS: Looking at the Azkals lineup for the 2014 Suzuki Cup

The Philippines has finalized the 21-man-squad to face off against Laos, Indonesia, and Vietnam in Hanoi for the group stage of the 2014 Suzuki Cup. First up against Laos on November 22, the following 21 players will then face Indonesia on November 25 before going into a grudge match against Vietnam on November 28 to wrap up the group stage. The top two of these four nations will qualify for the semifinals.

 

Here's a breakdown of the Azkals lineup for the tournament.

 

Goalkeepers: Patrick Deyto, Tomas Trigo

 

Undoubtedly one of the biggest pieces of news from the squad list will be the responsibility on young Patrick Deytos’ shoulders. Without Roland Mueller and Neil Etheridge, the 24-year-old keeper will be number one for the Azkals.

 

He’s already proven himself several times on the international stage, including a last-minute penalty stop against Malaysia to save a draw earlier this year. But this will indeed by his toughest test to date as Deyto is set for his debut in the Suzuki Cup.

 

The other point to note in between the sticks is that Tomas Trigo of Team Socceroo will be the only backup. Most teams bring three goalkeepers to provide cover in case of injury or suspension, and in either case Trigo will be thrust back into national team duty at the deep end.

 

Defenders: Rob Gier, Juani Guirado, Daisuke Sato, Amani Aguinaldo, Simone Rota, Curt Dizon

 

Despite their respective monikers, the War Elephants proved too quick for the Azkals’ backline in Thailand and the 3-0 result not long ago was fully-deserved. A clean sheet against Cambodia will certainly help with the confidence but the defense is something the Azkals will need to sort out quickly.

 

The defense was the Philippines’ strong point in the Suzuki Cup in 2012 and even in 2010, as the Azkals only conceded three goals in five games both those years. Rob Gier’s experience in the Suzuki Cup will be key for the defense to once again provide the platform for success. 

 

In that regard, Alvaro Silva’s exclusion perhaps shouldn’t come as a surprise. There appeared to be communication problems between him and the other center backs and teamwork is always preferable to individual skill in defense. Aguinaldo, Gier, and Guirado are far more familiar with each other and Jerry Lucena can provide further cover too.

 

At full back, Simone Rota, Daisuke Sato, and Curt Dizon will slot in well, have seen international action, though there is little cover for them in case of injury or suspension. 

 

Midfielders: James Younghusband, Simon Greatwich, Chris Greatwich, Martin Steuble, Paul Mulders, Misagh Bahadoran, Manny Ott, Patrick Reichelt, Jerry Lucena, Dennis Villanueva

 

As always, the Philippine midfield is stacked. The "retirement" of Stephan Schrock, Jason De Jong’s break from national duty, and the real retirement of Chieffy Caligdong notwithstanding, the Philippines has plenty of options. 

 

Martin Steuble has become a regular for the team and the Greatwich brothers will possibly compete with Manny Ott and Jerry Lucena for the other central midfield role. Patrick Reichelt and James Younghusband offer two very different but very useful options at right wing, while Misagh Bahadoran is the only player more comfortable with a role on left midfield without a natural left winger in the team, given Cheiffy’s retirement and the exclusion of Jeffrey Christiaens – a familiar problem for an Englishman.

 

Of course, all this depends on the formation chosen by Coach Dooley. The 4-2-2-2 against Thailand wasn’t effective, was far too narrow, and didn’t exploit the height of James Younghusband and Reichelt up top. The more traditional 4-4-2 against Cambodia will be more likely, but either way the team hasn’t settled into any particular formation or playing style of late. The midfield, as the engine room, will need to pick their game up to aid that transition from defense to attack.

 

Forwards: Phil Younghusband, Kenshiro Daniels, Mark Hartmann

 

Phil Younghusband is the only natural striker for the Philippines. Having passed the 40-goal mark against Cambodia he is by far the Azkals’ top scorer and will be marked man in Vietnam. But whether he starts up top is still a question as he’s played just behind a main striker in recent appearances, as the provider rather than the finisher. 

 

With Mark Hartmann fit again, the pair will likely start together but which role they take will be up for debate right until kick-off on November 22. 

 

As backup, only Kenshiro Daniels has played naturally as a forward for Kaya, but he has been preferred on the wing and also as a full back for the national team. James Younghusband and Patrick Reichelt have proven effective on the wing, but not so much as strikers, and so the offense is the most worrying part of the Azkals’ lineup because of the lack of depth.  

 

Phil Younghusband and Mark Hartmann staying fit and avoiding bookings will be vital. If the two perform, the Azkals have a good shot of getting through the group stage and challenging in the semis. But giving them almost all the responsibility for finding the back of the net, without adequate cover, isn’t just a big responsibility, it also makes it easier for the other teams to defend against. Phil was bullied out of the game against Thailand in 2012, and you can expect with his record and reputation teams will try the same again. The Philippines have no effective Plan B in attack right now.

 

Managing expectations

 

The schedule has worked nicely for the Azkals, as the game against Laos will break the team into the tougher matches against Indonesia and group hosts Vietnam. For the first time in recent memory, the Philippines aren’t in the Group of Death, avoiding Thailand, Myanmar, and defending Champions Singapore. 

 

Despite that, it’s still important for fans to manage their expectations. Semifinal showings in the last two Suzuki Cups were a great achievement — the first kickstarted football fever in the Philippines again while the second established the Azkals as a contender.

 

Now the Philippines will be going into the 2014 Suzuki Cup as the number one team in the region in FIFA Rankings. It’s worth repeating, though, that FIFA Rankings more accurately show who’s been the more active teams rather than the most successful.

 

Laos won’t be pushovers and they always have an upset in them, Indonesia remain the only team in Southeast Asia the Philippines have never beaten, while Vietnam will be baying for revenge in front of their home fans, to prove that they’re still a contender at the top of the region. 

 

The Azkals are still in a transitional period and have looked far from dominant in recent months. Thailand and Singapore probably remain the favorites for the crown, and the Azkals can challenge if they start to pick up their performances, but another Semi Final showing will be a good result in the end.

 

Roy’s Starting XI

 

From this year’s games it’s almost impossible to predict what the starting XI for the Azkals will be, but with everyone fit here would be my choice:

 

Deyto

 

Rota-Gier-Guirado-Sato

 

Reichelt-C. Greatwich-Ott-Bahadoran

 

Hartmann

 

P. Younghusband

 

— JST, GMA News