Azkals held to draw by 'Asukals' in tuneup match

The Philippine national football team played its usual game but was eventually held to a 4-4 draw in a tune-up match against an All-Star selection from Negros Occidental held at Panaad stadium. While the "Azkals" scored four goals in the first half, the Negros team – dubbed the "Asukals" – tied the score in the second half. "It was our test match and the players made a good impression, but we could have played with more rhythm," national coach Michael Weiss said after the game, according to a report Tuesday on Visayan Daily Star. Phil Younghusband scored two goals, while Ricardo Bisete and team captain Aly Borromeo had one goal each for the Azkals, all in the first half. The "Azkals" Team A, which was fielded in the first 45-minute half of the game, dominated the Negros All Stars, with Phil Younghusband scoring in the 10th minute, while Bicete made it 2-0 four minutes later. Younghusband scored his second goal in the 19th minute. But the Asukals, who had only four days of training as a team, scored a goal courtesy of La Sallian Aldrin Doleno before the first half ended. The Azkals' Borromeo made sure they had the game under control with a 43rd-minute goal for a 4-1 count at halftime. "They dominated us in the first half. Clearly, the Fil-foreign players have a great influence on the team," said Negros coach Nonoy Fegidero, also a former national team mentor. In the second half, Weiss fielded Team B – which gave a chance for the Asukals to be aggressive in offense. Doleno slipped past his defenders and scored Negros's second goal, which earned cheers from the bench and their followers from the grandstand. Jaime Poderoso booted back-to-back goals to tie the game at 4-all. "I told the players to give 100 percent during the game as it is a big opportunity for them to play against the national team," Fegidero said, adding that Negros players used to compose 60 percent of the national team. For his part, Weiss did not elaborate about the way Team B played in the second half. "We're supposed to give every player a chance. The result speaks for itself," he said. The Azkals will play another friendly on Thursday, this time against the Korean-reinforced team from Iloilo’s Central Philippine University. The game will also be played at Panaad Stadium at 4 p.m. – JVP, KY, GMANews.TV