Post by kroner on Mar 4, 2014 12:22:56 GMT 8
Azkals – Azerbaijan preview: A tough choice for Dooley
By Bob Guerrero | The Passionate Fan
On Wednesday the national team squares off against Azerbaijan in a FIFA International friendly in the Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum stadium Dubai. It should be a very tough test that will reveal the true strength of our best side. Coverage begins at 10:30 pm on ABS-CN Sports + Action.
The biggest difference between this game and the 0-0 draw versus Malaysia last Saturday is the presence of the Azkals' heavy hitters. Stephan Schrock will be there, and Roland Müller, Javi Patiño, and Jerry Lucena are also expected to suit up.
Schrock, as we all know, changes everything. And it would be great to see what kind of form Patiño is in. Lucena will likely play in holding midfield and will help shore up a defense that looked leaky at times against the Harimau Malaya.
In my opinion, the defense is Thomas Dooley's biggest concern. Almost all of the knowledgeable Football people I spoke to about the Malaysia game think that having Rob Gier and Juani Guirado at the same time in central defense is no longer a great idea.
The two have a combined age of 67, and at times it showed in Malaysia, with gaping holes in front of Patrick Deyto. Fortunately the Malaysian strike force showed a fondness for striking the woodwork. No doubt that the Azerbaijani forwards will be at least as quick as the Malaysians, if not even quicker.
Commissioners' Cup.
One wonders what is on Dooley's mind. One fact is certain: Dooley played in the World Cup for the USA at the age of 37. So he might know more than anyone that age is a state of mind. But then again, in that World Cup in 1998, the Yanks crashed out with three losses.
It's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't kind of spot for the coach. Does he leave Gier and Guirado there, and hope that their cohesion and Football IQ is enough to ward off the Azerbaijani attacks? Or does he risk taking one of the veterans out and replacing him with someone else? And if so, who goes, who stays, and who comes in? This is one of the tough early decisions that will, early on, define Dooley's leadership.
Perhaps Gier should be the one to remain if a change is necessary. He captains the side every now and then and seems to be the organizer at the back. Who takes Juani's place then?
My bet goes to Simone Rota. The 29-year-old Filipino Italian quick, tall, and experienced, having played in the Italian third tier. He had a solid international debut on Saturday, mixing it up quite a bit at right back. At his club, Stallion, he often plays in center back or sometimes holding midfield.
If Rota does move to the center, perhaps Anton Del Rosario can get a start at right back. Or he could place Schrock there, since that is where he has operated in the past for his clubs. That might limit his effectiveness going forward but you will know for a fact that the left wing of Azerbaijan will have a tough night. Del Rosario might even find a place at centerback.
Another option at right back is Patrick Reichelt, who is also a right-sided wide player. But is he fit to start, having been out of contract for a while before signing with Ceres recently?
Roland Müller will be between the sticks and this is not a problem. At least one former Pinoy homegrown national team goalie has told me that he prefers Müller to Neil Etheridge. Others knowledgeable about the position say he is technically sharper and distributes the ball better. Neil has the presence in the box and a history of making big saves for the country, but Müller is at least his equal.
Azerbaijan is the 93rd-ranked nation in the world. They recently drew Russia 1-1 in World Cup qualifying. I suspect that their standard of play will be a bit lower than that of UAE, who are ranked 58. The Emiratis, if you recall, flogged us 4-0 last year, but thanks to a career day by Ed Sacapaño, it wasn't worse.
Azerbaijan is a young side, and their biggest threats will be Rufat Dadashov, a 22-year old playing for Kaiserslautern II in the second tier in Germany, and Vagif Javadov, 24. Javadov has experience in CSKA Moscow's youth system.
Coaching the squad is Berti Vogts, who played for West Germany's World Cup-winning side in 1974, and coached Germany to a European Championship in 1996. The final of that competition is memorable to me. The Germans were down to the Czechs 1-0 when Oliver Bierhoff came on as a sub and scored twice to lead the Mannschaft to victory.
Vogts is a vastly experienced coach who will leave nothing to chance.
The Philippines should have a large and noisy OFW crowd in Dubai rallying the side. They'll need it. This will be a tough but doable test for the Azkals. If Thomas Dooley can conjure up a result on Wednesday, then we can tip our hats to him.
Possible starting eleven: Study 1
Patiño
Steuble PhilYH Doctora
Lucena Greatwich
Christiaens Rota Gier Schrock
Müller
Possible starting eleven: Study 2
Patiño
Bahadoran PhilYH Schrock
Lucena DeJong
Christiaens Gier Rota DelRosario
Müller
Possible starting eleven: Study 3
Patiño
Porteria PhilYH Doctora
Steuble Lucena
Christiaens Gier Rota Schrock
Müller
Follow Bob on Twitter @passionatefanph.
ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/thepassionatefan/azkals-azerbaijan-preview-tough-choice-dooley-024230663.html
By Bob Guerrero | The Passionate Fan
On Wednesday the national team squares off against Azerbaijan in a FIFA International friendly in the Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum stadium Dubai. It should be a very tough test that will reveal the true strength of our best side. Coverage begins at 10:30 pm on ABS-CN Sports + Action.
The biggest difference between this game and the 0-0 draw versus Malaysia last Saturday is the presence of the Azkals' heavy hitters. Stephan Schrock will be there, and Roland Müller, Javi Patiño, and Jerry Lucena are also expected to suit up.
Schrock, as we all know, changes everything. And it would be great to see what kind of form Patiño is in. Lucena will likely play in holding midfield and will help shore up a defense that looked leaky at times against the Harimau Malaya.
In my opinion, the defense is Thomas Dooley's biggest concern. Almost all of the knowledgeable Football people I spoke to about the Malaysia game think that having Rob Gier and Juani Guirado at the same time in central defense is no longer a great idea.
The two have a combined age of 67, and at times it showed in Malaysia, with gaping holes in front of Patrick Deyto. Fortunately the Malaysian strike force showed a fondness for striking the woodwork. No doubt that the Azerbaijani forwards will be at least as quick as the Malaysians, if not even quicker.
Commissioners' Cup.
One wonders what is on Dooley's mind. One fact is certain: Dooley played in the World Cup for the USA at the age of 37. So he might know more than anyone that age is a state of mind. But then again, in that World Cup in 1998, the Yanks crashed out with three losses.
It's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't kind of spot for the coach. Does he leave Gier and Guirado there, and hope that their cohesion and Football IQ is enough to ward off the Azerbaijani attacks? Or does he risk taking one of the veterans out and replacing him with someone else? And if so, who goes, who stays, and who comes in? This is one of the tough early decisions that will, early on, define Dooley's leadership.
Perhaps Gier should be the one to remain if a change is necessary. He captains the side every now and then and seems to be the organizer at the back. Who takes Juani's place then?
My bet goes to Simone Rota. The 29-year-old Filipino Italian quick, tall, and experienced, having played in the Italian third tier. He had a solid international debut on Saturday, mixing it up quite a bit at right back. At his club, Stallion, he often plays in center back or sometimes holding midfield.
If Rota does move to the center, perhaps Anton Del Rosario can get a start at right back. Or he could place Schrock there, since that is where he has operated in the past for his clubs. That might limit his effectiveness going forward but you will know for a fact that the left wing of Azerbaijan will have a tough night. Del Rosario might even find a place at centerback.
Another option at right back is Patrick Reichelt, who is also a right-sided wide player. But is he fit to start, having been out of contract for a while before signing with Ceres recently?
Roland Müller will be between the sticks and this is not a problem. At least one former Pinoy homegrown national team goalie has told me that he prefers Müller to Neil Etheridge. Others knowledgeable about the position say he is technically sharper and distributes the ball better. Neil has the presence in the box and a history of making big saves for the country, but Müller is at least his equal.
Azerbaijan is the 93rd-ranked nation in the world. They recently drew Russia 1-1 in World Cup qualifying. I suspect that their standard of play will be a bit lower than that of UAE, who are ranked 58. The Emiratis, if you recall, flogged us 4-0 last year, but thanks to a career day by Ed Sacapaño, it wasn't worse.
Azerbaijan is a young side, and their biggest threats will be Rufat Dadashov, a 22-year old playing for Kaiserslautern II in the second tier in Germany, and Vagif Javadov, 24. Javadov has experience in CSKA Moscow's youth system.
Coaching the squad is Berti Vogts, who played for West Germany's World Cup-winning side in 1974, and coached Germany to a European Championship in 1996. The final of that competition is memorable to me. The Germans were down to the Czechs 1-0 when Oliver Bierhoff came on as a sub and scored twice to lead the Mannschaft to victory.
Vogts is a vastly experienced coach who will leave nothing to chance.
The Philippines should have a large and noisy OFW crowd in Dubai rallying the side. They'll need it. This will be a tough but doable test for the Azkals. If Thomas Dooley can conjure up a result on Wednesday, then we can tip our hats to him.
Possible starting eleven: Study 1
Patiño
Steuble PhilYH Doctora
Lucena Greatwich
Christiaens Rota Gier Schrock
Müller
Possible starting eleven: Study 2
Patiño
Bahadoran PhilYH Schrock
Lucena DeJong
Christiaens Gier Rota DelRosario
Müller
Possible starting eleven: Study 3
Patiño
Porteria PhilYH Doctora
Steuble Lucena
Christiaens Gier Rota Schrock
Müller
Follow Bob on Twitter @passionatefanph.
ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/thepassionatefan/azkals-azerbaijan-preview-tough-choice-dooley-024230663.html