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Post by cjeagle on Jun 14, 2015 17:28:43 GMT 8
Just wondered. How hot does it get in Qatar in June? FIFA decided to move the 2022 World Cup hosted by Qatar (assuming it is not awarded to someone else bec. of the current investigations) to December instead of June, because of the extreme heat. Yet here we are playing in a WC qualifier. Here in Dubai, UAE... today, now at 41 degree Celsius (12nn) in the evening at the same time of the game, the temperature will go down to 35 degree Celsius. Its not even the peak of summer... the peak is around mid-july to mid-august. the temperature can go above 50 degree in a normal day. time zone difference = UAE 1 hour advance from Qatar. 35C is not too bad. Coming from the Philippines they shouldn't have a hard time adapting. Neil didn't like the day temperatures though: Neil Etheridge @neil38etheridge 28m28 minutes ago Just opened the balcony door and it was like opening an oven haha #hot #summer #qatar #doha #azkals #NE1
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 15, 2015 1:02:05 GMT 8
Apparenty the Yemen game in Doha, Qatar were only able to attract 3200 fans (with a sizeable North Korean fan base present) in their game against DPR Korea. Considering the sizeable Filipino expatriate population there, I bet we will outnumber them at their home game substantially.
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 15, 2015 1:17:19 GMT 8
Cedelf Tupas @cedelfpt 23m23 minutes ago Photos from Azkals training in Doha. 2 days before clash vs Yemen. Stephan Schrock left for Germany to recuperate
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 15, 2015 2:44:38 GMT 8
Yemenis no easy foe for Azkals By Cedelf P. Tupas THE PHILIPPINES may have sent Bahrain reeling with a stunning 2-1 upset in their World Cup Qualifying opener Thursday night but Azkals manager Dan Palami is quick to dismiss any thought that the next game against Yemen will be easier for the squad. Palami saw enough of Yemen’s World Cup Qualifying opener against North Korea to conclude that the Azkals are in for a dogfight when they meet in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday. Yemen lost to North Korea, 0-1, but the Yemenis—who are playing all their home games in Doha due to security concerns in their own country—had their moments, especially in the first half when they put their opponents on the backfoot. “It’s certainly not going to be an easy game for us,” said Palami. “Just because we beat Bahrain, that doesn’t mean we will get past Yemen. They lose by narrow margins against stronger teams and can put us under pressure.” The margin for error is slim for the Azkals in a tough Group H with the top team in the bracket advancing to the third round. The four best second placers in the eight qualifying groups will also advance to the next round. But unlike other groups where there is a huge gap in quality among the teams, the Azkals landed in a very competitive bracket that also includes Uzbekistan. “If we have a goal to be among the best second placers, we have to win these first two games,” said Azkals coach Thomas Dooley. “When you look at the groups, most of the time, the second placers are looking at the goal differential. But with the group that we have, it’s very very difficult.” Dooley said the Azkals must take a do-or-die mentality in every game. “We can only reach our goal if we’re getting points,” he said. “We really have to push hard to get it (the win against Yemen) and get everything that we want like a do-or-die game.” Meanwhile, Luke Woodland remains doubtful for the Yemen clash as he awaits his clearance from the International Football Federation (Fifa). Woodland’s case is unique since his transfer of “sporting nationality” needed the approval of the English, Ireland, Wales and Scotland FAs as the 19-year-old played for England at the youth level. The Fifa Players’ Status Committee will decide on Woodland, who was supposed to start ahead of Rob Gier in the win over Bahrain. Ruled out of the clash against Yemen after sustaining a knee injury against Bahrain, Stephan Schrock left the Azkals camp in Doha and returned to Germany to recuperate. Read more: sports.inquirer.net/184326/yemenis-no-easy-foe-for-azkals#ixzz3d3r7OZ4mAnother must win game for the Azkals.
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 15, 2015 13:56:08 GMT 8
Please note to all our kababayans in Qatar. This game will free of charge. The Azkals will be wearing their blue shirts.
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 15, 2015 14:37:22 GMT 8
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Post by cmcp on Jun 15, 2015 14:59:21 GMT 8
Apparenty the Yemen game in Doha, Qatar were only able to attract 3200 fans (with a sizeable North Korean fan base present) in their game against DPR Korea. Considering the sizeable Filipino expatriate population there, I bet we will outnumber them at their home game substantially. I expect our overseas compatriots to embarrass us locals with a larger crowd then we had in Bulacan.hehe This will be another home match atmosphere.
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Post by cmcp on Jun 15, 2015 15:00:24 GMT 8
Any news on Luke Woodland and his clearance. I'd like to see his impact on defense in the 3 4 3 formation.
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Post by simonmanila on Jun 15, 2015 18:15:38 GMT 8
He's not on the official squad list released by the AFC...
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Post by kroner on Jun 15, 2015 21:33:50 GMT 8
[Azkals WCQ] A quick look on Match Day 2 opponents: Yemen Posted on June 15, 2015 By Ivan Gayares (@ivangeoffrey) As the Azkals prepare for its second match in World Cup Qualifying, let’s take a quick look on the Azkals opponents in Yemen. It will be easy to take Yemeni’s lightly given they are the lowest seed in the group but their narrow 0-1 loss to powerhouse DPR Korea says otherwise. In their first match, the Koreans pressed heavily in the first fifteen minutes leading to several goal scoring chances only to be denied by their talented keeper in Mohammed Ayash who once was in the U17 World Cup in 2003. Their defense also held their own as they were able to minimize DPR Korea’s speed and superb passing most of the time. The Yemen backline also had to contain North Korean giant striker in Kwang Ryong Pak. It took seventy minutes and a power of a volley from Hyok Un So to break the Yemeni defense. Something that the Azkals should note given that DPR Korea is a relatively faster and is a more cohesive team. Yemen’s number 10 in Aiman Al Hagri seemed to be the trickiest in front together with captain/striker Ala Al Sasi. The Azkals’ opponents seemed to be lesser than Bahrain in the counter attack but their short passing game is intact, a standard in all Middle Eastern countries. It is interesting to note that the the last win of Yemen came against Pakistan in the first round of World Cup qualifying to the score of 3-1. This was the same scoreline when the Azkals beat the same opponent in the 2013 Peace Cup. The Yemen squad uses a 4-4-2 formation, a standard formation designated by the Czech Coach whom they just recently trained with in Doha, Qatar. The team was reported to have taken a 13 hour boat ride from their war-torn country. The Azkals meanwhile are expected to field the same formation but Coach Thomas Dooley may try to experiment with new players to try new combinations in the squad. theperfectpass.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/azkals-wcq-a-quick-look-on-match-day-2-opponents-yemen/
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Post by strikerbon on Jun 16, 2015 0:40:19 GMT 8
23 hours to go! im very excited for this match. just quite sad to see only a few have been posting here for this upcoming match considering that this is a world cup game. where are the people? before, even for a friendly game, people are excited, talking about tactics and line-ups. but now it seems like they're all gone
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Post by Caz on Jun 16, 2015 0:52:58 GMT 8
23 hours to go! im very excited for this match. just quite sad to see only a few have been posting here for this upcoming match considering that this is a world cup game. where are the people? before, even for a friendly game, people are excited, talking about tactics and line-ups. but now it seems like they're all gone Heh heh, at least personally, I'd rather wait and see what Dooley does with this team. But I'm excited! It'll be hard for me to concentrate at work today due to the anticipation of this match.
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Post by strikerbon on Jun 16, 2015 1:06:59 GMT 8
23 hours to go! im very excited for this match. just quite sad to see only a few have been posting here for this upcoming match considering that this is a world cup game. where are the people? before, even for a friendly game, people are excited, talking about tactics and line-ups. but now it seems like they're all gone Heh heh, at least personally, I'd rather wait and see what Dooley does with this team. But I'm excited! It'll be hard for me to concentrate at work today due to the anticipation of this match. me too! i actually requested for a day-off the following day so my body won't get tired having awake early dawn but it wasn't granted. so i have no choice, being a football fan, i'll watch this game even if it means no rest. im predicting a 2-0 win! i also have a feeling that PYH will be given a more attacking role, perhaps as a CAM or withdrawn striker
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 16, 2015 1:41:40 GMT 8
For those looking for a livestream link, I placed AFC's link in the opening post yesterday. I believe it is geoblocked for those living in the Middle East and North Africa.
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Post by dan17808 on Jun 16, 2015 2:03:09 GMT 8
my prediction of 2-1 PH win came true last time with Bahrain.. wishing this time against Yemen 2-0 win for us.
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