One Year After: World Cup Dream Awaits Thomas Dooley
First of three parts
A year after the heartbreaking defeat to Palestine in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Final, Philippines senior team head coach Thomas Dooley looked back to the past and then gave a brief glimpse into the very near future — the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers next week.
Although they failed to land silverware last year, the former United States skipper said his side “played some great football last year.” The Azkals were finalists in both the AFC Challenge Cup and the Peace Cup. They were also semifinalists in the AFF Suzuki Cup for a third time.
“I think the team got better and better, but the problem is, we lost the important games,” said Dooley. “(Losing the) important games had something to do with the players’ whole experience (last year).”
With the opening match against Bahrain looming, Dooley admitted that the preparations for the match could have been better. The Azkals only started training last Monday as the United Football League took a break for both the World Cup qualifiers and the South East Asian Games. The last time the team were together was a training camp in Bahrain three months ago.
“We are not developing the players because we do not have the time (to prepare properly),” said Dooley. “But if we want to be successful, we have to rely on the clubs because we do not have a time to train.”
The Azkals coach believes that on any given day, the Philippines can beat their opponents in Group H. Bahrain, DPR Korea, Uzbekistan, and Yemen are the other teams in the group.
“We can win against them, or lose,” said the American mentor. “Anything is possible.”
Dooley has called up four new players to the squad: Iain Ramsay, Luke Woodland, Stephan Palla, and Kevin Ingresso. Ramsay, Woodland, and Ingresso have started training with the rest of the team. Palla is expected to arrive later this week along with Jerry Lucena and the returning Javier Patiño. The new arrivals has allowed the Azkals coach to utilize a more direct approach to the game.
“We will try to play more offensive-minded. Put pressure and keep it away from the defense, and if we win the ball upfront, that will be great for us,” ” added Dooley. “I expect that the training will be better because of the players we have.”
The Azkals play their first match in the World Cup Qualifiers on June 11, 2015, 8 PM, at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan. — CAL
football.com.ph/one-year-after-world-cup-dream-awaits-thomas-dooley/ One Year After: Reconciliation According to Thomas Dooley
Second of Three Parts
Coach Thomas Dooley admitted that he was delighted about Stephan Schrock returning to the squad after the midfielder took a much-publicized break from international duty.
The dynamic midfielder last saw action for the Azkals in the 1-0 defeat to Palestine in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Final. Schrock had a falling out with Dooley after that and the conflict ballooned when Schrock came out with statements against Dooley in the German press.
However, a couple of months ago, news came out that Schrock had a change of heart. He decided to contact team manager Dan Palami to inform Dooley that he wanted to talk to the coach.
“He apologized for what he did and said that he was wrong,” recalled Dooley, who added, “If you cannot deal with the coaches decision you should change your sport.”
“Football is about the decision of the coach. If you cannot accept it, you’re cannot be a part of the team.” continued the American coach.
Dooley took note of the importance of the apology and that paved the way for Schrock to return to the squad.
“I don’t have a problem with (Schrock returning), he’s back because he apologized,” said Dooley. “He knew he made a mistake.”
With Neil Etheridge and Javier Patino also included in the squad, Dooley hopes that the two players will deliver what he knows they are capable of.
“Neil went from 100-0,” Dooley said about Etheridge, who has had a rocky football season. “Maybe now 0-100,” shrugged Dooley. “(I told him) If you do a good job and put your focus on it then you’ll be the starter. But if you blow like last time, you’ll be out. But I know he won’t, he sees it as an opportunity to get the number one spot (back).”
“Javier feels like a new player (to me),” said Dooley on Patiño. The striker arrived on Thursday night to join the team. Patiño played for the Azkals under Dooley just one time, a half against Azerbaijan during a camp last year.
The Azkals mentor also indicated that as a coach, he needs to “tell to the players that (their selection) is about their form.”
“Only 11 players can play and if we have 1 in the 23 who goes sideways, he’s out,” remarked Dooley. “It’s a steep climb for everyone. If one doesn’t want to join the climb, he can’t be a part of the team.”
After clarifying that the list of 23 players is only for the first two matches of the World Cup Qualifiers, Dooley also said that it is possible to add — and drop — players for the last two matches of the Round.
“If someone great comes to the team, like if Alphonse Areola* decides to join us, or Michael Falkesgaard**, then of course we’ll take them,” Dooley said, further emphasising that he wants the best possible squad to represent the Philippines. “If we have problems with any of the positions, we can change players as much as we want (after the Yemen match).” — CAL
*Alphonse Areola was the goalkeeper for France’s Under 20 team that won the Under 20 World Cup in 2013. Areola was born to Filipino parents in France.
**Michael Falkesgaard is a goalkeeper who plays in Denmark for Brønby. The 24-year-old was born in Denmark to a Filipino mother.
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