Rampaging Fullback by Ryan Fenix:
Rampaging Fullback: Previewing the Azkals’ semifinal match versus MaldivesRyan Fenix, special to InterAksyon.com · Tuesday, May 27, 2014 · 1:57 am
The Philippines is in the semifinals of the AFC Challenge Cup for the second consecutive time and are hoping to go one better by reaching the final on May 30.
Standing in the Azkals’ way of a place in the final are the hosts, Maldives.
With football being the number one sport in the Maldives, excitement is justifiably high in Male and tickets to the semifinal, priced at USD 3.50 each, have been in short supply.
Maldivians are confident to get the win against the Azkals in great part because of the form of their talisman, Ali Ashfaq. Currently leading the goal scoring charts with three goals to his name, the Maldives No. 7 who goes by the nickname Man of Steel is the danger man for the Azkals.
Home field advantage for the Maldives cannot be underestimated.
“It will be a difficult task for the Azkals to beat Maldives in the Galolhu Stadium,” Maldivian media confided to this writer in private.
“For example, a few years back Maldives managed to have a goalless draw against (Asian powerhouse) South Korea. 2014 World Cup qualifiers Iran, who once scored 17 goals against us, have managed to score just two goals here in Male. They were under the guidance of their coach Carlos Queiroz.”
Maldivian media has also dubbed this team as the “best Maldivian team ever selected.” Thus, it would be best for the Azkals not to take this team too lightly, even if it is the first time that the Maldives has been in the semifinals of this tournament.
Maldives national team coordinator Ali Suzain has said on record: “The chances of going to the final are very high now that the Maldives national team has to play against Philippines in the semifinal. Having to play against Philippines is an advantage to Maldives.”
Could it be a case of overconfidence, or is simply a case of the Maldives simply believing in their team so much that the threat of the Azkals seems too miniscule to even ponder?
Whatever the reason, the Azkals should post his statement on the locker room wall and let our football do the talking.
Because, if we are to be truthful about it, the Azkals are not short of confidence ourselves. The defense has not conceded a goal in three games, whilst scoring four.
Of some concern will be the injury to Juani Guirado and the absence of Dennis Cagara, who left to help his local club in Denmark gain promotion.
However, Amani Aguinaldo and Daisuke Sato have performed splendidly in their places and will look set to continue doing so even if the Azkals 23 man roster is now down to 19 with Neil Etheridge and Balot Doctora are also nursing separate injuries as well.
That said, there is no reason for the Azkals not to do well against the Maldives. Morale should be at an all-time high and belief should be running through the veins of the players.
The team has also had three days to recover from the rigors of the group stages.
History beckons, yet again, for the Azkals.
Time to leave everything on the pitch, for flag and country.
A place in the final awaits.
Ryan Fenix is InterAksyon.com’s resident football analyst. His football column Rampaging Fullback appears exclusively on the site. He runs the football blog The Prawn Sandwich Brigade and covers football for Sports5. For more football discussion, follow him on Twitter.
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Don't know if Maldivians are overconfident for a win against us. I hope the referee will not be biased tonight.
Fingers crossed for a PHI Win. GOOD LUCK PHILIPPINES