Azkals show positives, but lots of work to do for Weiss, youngsters

The Philippine national men’s football team bowed to a determined Chinese Taipei squad, 3-2, in a thrilling game on a wet Monday evening in the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

Fans had hardly settled in their seats when Chinese Taipei scored off of a deflected free kick in the second minute, but the Azkals clawed back with some beautiful football to take the lead at the half, with goals from Mike Ott and Patrick Reichelt.

An eventful second half saw Chinese Taipei take control of the game, getting the equalizer in the 57th minute before eventually getting the winner in the 90th minute.

It was a tough loss to take for the Azkals, but in truth it was a deserved victory for Gary White’s Chinese Taipei, who held Thailand to a 2-2 draw just three nights prior.

Here are five things we learned from the match.

1. Newcomers are easy targets, but let’s cut them some slack.

In Michael Weiss’ first stint with the Azkals, there was criticism that he wasn’t too enamored with giving young local players a chance on the field.

So, when Gio Pabualan and Jared Pena were given chances in the game, it was met with approval from fans and pundits alike.

However, things didn’t go exactly to plan, as Pabualan was a peripheral figure on the right wing and was taken off some thirty minutes after coming on while young Jax Pena’s first touches when coming on in the 90th minute was punished with a lightning quick Chinese Taipei counter-attack that led to the winning goal.

“I'm very much positive with local players,” said Weiss. “But it's a reality check today. They are nervous today, but if I don't test then, when will I see them?”

“I take responsibility for this; it was an experience we have to give them.”

The online vitriol against the young players is perhaps a bit unnecessary, but it is hoped that these two young gentlemen – and other youngsters watching – are fully aware of the quality needed to compete in the senior level, and now have to put in the work needed to get in contention again for a call-up.

They can take heed from Sandro Reyes, who was once a raw talent when he first made his debut for the national team. Now, Reyes was once again the standout performer in midfield for the Azkals with his composure on the ball, and his self-assured performance on the field.

2. Weiss knows he has much work to do.

After a win against Nepal to herald his second time in charge, Weiss and the Azkals were served a reality check as a resilient Chinese Taipei carved out a deserved victory against the Azkals.

The Azkals showed character and poise to buck a second minute deflected goal and play some of the more fluid football in recent times to take the lead by the half.

Despite a face injury against Nepal that required stitches, Patrick Reichelt made his return to the starting eleven and was a menace, haranguing the Taipei defence and getting a deserved goal in the 39th minute.

But fatigue, injuries, and a lack of seasoned options at the bench meant that the Azkals lost grip on the game in the second half, resulting in Chinese Taipei’s strong finish to the game.

“Please do not be disappointed, we will see many more positives in this window,” said Weiss after the match.

“I want team to play offensively and we take risks, (but) pace and conditioning is the downfall.”

After the euphoria of the first win, Weiss will have a clearer picture of where the team is at, and now have to find the solutions in time for the next round of games.

3. Etheridge shows his class – again.

Despite only training for ‘5-6 days’ prior to the game, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was there when the country needed him as he saved a barrage of shots that kept the Philippines in the game.

It may come as a surprise to some that he is singled out for praise despite letting in three goals, but such was his contribution that without his saves, Chinese Taipei could easily have been at least three goals up even before the final whistle was blown.

And new Chonburi FC signing Patrick Deyto impressing in the previous match against Nepal, Weiss will have one less problem to have, at least in the goalkeeping department.

4. Azkals have to be lethal in front of goal.

“We need to be more angry to score. We need to be more aggressive.”

These were the laments of the Nepal coach when they lost to the Azkals last week, but these can very well be the mantra of Weiss after seeing the Azkals unable to find the sharpness to finish in front of goal.

There were some good football seen from the Azkals, especially in the first half, but an inability to score and put away chances turned out to be the team’s undoing.

5. Good crowd despite poor weather.

The game was played on a Monday night, under heavy rain and the occasional lightning and thunder, but that did little to faze the almost 4,000 people in attendance at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Dare we say… the Azkals are back and the fans with it, many clad in the new colorful Azkals replica kit.

After years in the doldrums, there is renewed hope, despite the defeat to Chinese Taipei, that there are steps made in the positive direction for the Azkals.

And the fans are certainly taking notice.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News