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Post by benzgm on Feb 14, 2012 8:08:15 GMT 8
While there were a lot of improvements in the game, I still don't like the substitution pattern employed for the azkals in this match, it's a practice game and we were up 2-nil at halftme, those substitutions could have been made earlier, and playing time could have been given to those seldom (never, even) used players given that there was practically no limit on substitutions.
I did enjoy the match... and the crowd was amazing!
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Post by azkalvolcanogilas on Feb 14, 2012 8:29:12 GMT 8
Unlike in their past games where the Azkals would only play good in the other half , the Azkals played quality football the entire game against the Qataris. The Azkals looked sharp and it was pleasing to see those accurate cross passes by JYB, Guirado, Sabio and Angeles. Michael Weiss must have said something to the boys which resulted for a better showing. Kudos as well to the Pinoys cheering our team which made the stadium like a Rizal Memorial atmosphere.
One observation though is that this club from Qatar seemed not taking the game seriously. Their first 11 was not their best line up, there were obvious mental lapses from the players including the substitute goalie which several times gave up corner kicks to the Azkals where obviously it was easy for him to regain possession for his team. Maybe the Qataris saw how weak the Azkals were against the Uzbeks prompting them to play lighter against our team.
Nonetheless, despite of not having the best players around, the Azkals did enough to please the fans including me. The next game with the Aussies U-23 should be a better gauge.
I share the observation of some members here and the commentators as well on the late substitutions of coach Weiss. When we were leading 3-1, it was safe to bring in some of our subs to see how they play and give them more confidence being with their teammates on the ground against an official opposition before the actual AFC tourney starts.
I believe Weiss took the match to win than doing some experimentation or testing some players. Poor Michael Weiss, the pressure on him to win is affecting what has to be done exactly for the Azkals for the AFC cup.
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Post by dingodile5 on Feb 14, 2012 8:57:07 GMT 8
At last a WIN I expect na draw but they go beyond. They won Nakarami sana tau ng scores dun. 4-1 sana if Guirado shoots the penalty and other attempts.
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Post by jpesarza on Feb 14, 2012 9:44:32 GMT 8
I thought A. Guirado played well last night, (My MOTM) The pace obviously was an improvement. (Let's not talk about the Penalty shot though and some dives ) Sabio's defensive consistency with Ray joining him made the back solid, though it's still open to crosses but still Def was an improvement, the UZB game was awful. (hope the good thing continues) And Coach Weiss? Remind me who is he again? Ah weiss, yeah Weiss, Totally Weiss. Coach made good adjustments though but can't say enough negs (Kudos for the win that's it)
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Post by veryfatchocobo on Feb 14, 2012 10:06:21 GMT 8
Great game, even if this wasn't the actual Al Ahly (or Ahli) team. We still play too fast in my opinion though. James and Phil really know how to touch the ball, and looked great, especially since they're playing regularly now.
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Post by jerichodignadice on Feb 14, 2012 10:45:18 GMT 8
It was a mix of their first and second team and they mixed their offence but it didn't get past the back 4. Juan's strength and positioning was useful with the opposing Advanced Forward and Sabio's tackling(timing and decision) is great. The passes (even the long ones) yesterday were good to have higher completion rate. Good job, Philippines! Kinda' off-topic: Hey look.. This is the French coach of Al Ahli (Simondi Bernard) - 3rd from right. lol ;D
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Post by Wiking on Feb 14, 2012 11:07:24 GMT 8
Great game, even if this wasn't the actual Al Ahly (or Ahli) team. We still play too fast in my opinion though. James and Phil really know how to touch the ball, and looked great, especially since they're playing regularly now. Yup, according to Cedelf there were 30 players in their roster and only 8 were regular players. Most are trying out for the team. Although the league 3rd highest scorer did play for the opponents. I've now come to the conclusion there are 2 different Angel. One thats an all star, like last night and one that trips over his own leg(against CFIM). I still cringe when I watch that game I recorded. I hope it was because of his lingering injury and not that he's hot-and-cold naturally like that. One adjustment I saw was the compactness of the defense which included the mids and even the forwards went down lower. The addition of Ray Jonsson also calmed down that side. Kudos to the coach for recognizing the need for that adjustment. But, as he fixed one thing he blew another. His substitution pattern AGAIN was unforgivable. We were up 3-1 early and yet he subbed when there were only about 12 minutes left? What happened to the game being a "training/practice" game? The NT players need to be treated better than that. Injury time substitution of Moy, a veteran NT player? That's a slap in the face.
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Post by Katipunero on Feb 14, 2012 11:50:17 GMT 8
Not a bad way to start Valentine's.
We saw a different team compared to what we saw against CFIM and the Uzbeks.
With that experimental squad in the first half we had much more time on the ball than against the Uzbeks and this allowed us to settle in and get in rythm. It even continued in the 2nd half when the core of their first team came out. Some say this wasn't really the real Al Ahli squad and it doesnt mean much, well that isnt completely true and depsite that we did what we were supposed to do by beating them.
Rey really solidified our defense. Carli and he played their natural positions and were great on the voerlap. Our CBs were solid as well especially Sabio who I think has earned the right to that starting job. The team defense as a whole was great with our midfield protecting our back 4 and disrupting the opponents buildup in the middle. Phil and Wold even dropped deep at times to help out which made us even harder to breakdown.
I loved the way we countered in this game. We used passing on the counters an not those aimless long balls anymore. If we did resort to the long ball it was with purpose and quality for our strikers to latch on to it.
If we are cohesive and hard to break down on defense and creative and quick on the counters we may have a fighting chance in Nepal.
One negative though is the subs pattern. We were up with unlimited subs we could have mixed up in there. But fine, maybe Weiss wanted to bag this win and keep the in-form lineup intact. But he still could have done changes to help, doesn;t he remember our Kuwait match. He could've brought on Moy for a forward to solidify the mid with another DM or something if he really wanted that win with making use of the subs. And see how much comfortable the players are in their natural positions.
Notes: I want Phil to be our set piece taker even when Chieffy comes back ( and PK's tpp pls) His quality is better than Caligdong's and we won't missing his height anyway since he isn't know for his aerial game. let's use our height and msucle especialyl against the ASEAN teams.
I think Beloya deserves to be ahead of Araneta in the pecking order. Why is he still around.
Great tribute to the goalkeeper and you could see the joy in his eyes for being able to play 10mins and even stop that volley from Phil. His age showed though, I think the last time he played the backpass was still legal haha
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Post by cowscrubber on Feb 14, 2012 20:30:40 GMT 8
The ceremonial goalkeeper for Al Ahli was great. even "extra rice" goalkeepers can be good. haha...
But anyway, I noticed that James Younghusband had the captain's armband in this match. Does this mean that he has replaced Chieffy Caligdong as vice captain?
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Post by curtlanceunited on Feb 14, 2012 22:27:42 GMT 8
I was really impressed on the performance of Marwin Angeles. He's not really reckless on his tackles except on one instance last night where he was awarded a yellow card and he has pinpoint passing both short and long passes....
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Post by shawnjoie on Feb 14, 2012 22:35:48 GMT 8
Kuddos to Pinoys in Doha... Families came together with their kids.Of course it helped that it is a holiday today in Doha (National Sports Day). I hope we can replicate the same amount of people watching here in Dubai. We were envious when we watched it on live stream. A lot of Pinoy groups have approached me regarding concerns with organizers. But of course we cant do something about it. The Pinoy Football Club here in Dubai made a "santi araneta"...They are selling tickets "Buy one Take one" so that lots of people will come to the game on Thurs. Hope it works. So far they have thanked me for posting it on my FB wall and on Twitter. They said it's selling like "Hot pandesal' Lol
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Post by jonny on Feb 14, 2012 22:44:30 GMT 8
Kuddos to Pinoys in Doha... Families came together with their kids.Of course it helped that it is a holiday today in Doha (National Sports Day). I hope we can replicate the same amount of people watching here in Dubai. We were envious when we watched it on live stream. A lot of Pinoy groups have approached me regarding concerns with organizers. But of course we cant do something about it. The Pinoy Football Club here in Dubai made a "santi araneta"...They are selling tickets "Buy one Take one" so that lots of people will come to the game on Thurs. Hope it works. So far they have thanked me for posting it on my FB wall and on Twitter. They said it's selling like "Hot pandesal' Lol Why concerns with organizers ? Why was it only 1200 people going to th Uzbek friendly ?
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Post by Wiking on Feb 14, 2012 23:39:53 GMT 8
She finally posted! Welcome to UF Shawnjoie!
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Post by fadzki on Feb 15, 2012 0:19:58 GMT 8
She finally posted! Welcome to UF Shawnjoie! who is she? ;D ;D ;D HI Shawnjoie...
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Post by cjeagle on Feb 15, 2012 2:08:16 GMT 8
The Al Ahli team played a league game on Saturday I believed, so they did not field their first team against the Philippines. It is normal also for clubs to give tryouts to potential players in friendlies. When facing a supposedly inferior team in a meaningless friendly, they treated this game, like any good club will do, a chance to tryout players to improve their team and to give their bench players a chance to prove themselves. As I mentioned in the chat, they also probably underestimated our team by fielding mostly bench players at the start. I did not get to watch the game, but I predicted in the chat session that they will be bringing a lot of their starters in the 2nd half and so they did as this article mentions: www.pinoyfootball.com/articles/11100426/Azkals-step-up-to-beat-Al-Ahli-31Anyways, the result does not reflect the true strength of their club so let us not congratulate ourselves too early. Nevertheless, I like the fact that our defence and our overall play has improved. The true test is when we face stronger teams. As for Coach Weiss, as I also mentioned in the chat, his substitution patterns reflect his concern about his job security. He is trying to keep his job so he is keeping the first team on the field as long as possible.
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