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Azkals back in PHL, face tall order vs Kuwait Thursday


The Azkals and the Kuwait national team have arrived Sunday night for the second leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Thursday. The Azkals, who suffered a 3-0 loss in Kuwait, played the first leg without their team captain Aly Borromeo and midfield defender Stephan Schrock. Borromeo and Schrock were suspended after accumulating two cautions each in their matches against Sri Lanka.

Roy Moore, a British football analyst based in Manila, shared his thoughts about the current predicament of the Azkals: "If the Azkals win 3-0 then it goes to extra time. If they win by three goals, 4-1, 5-2, etc., then Kuwait will go through on away goals rule. If they win by four goals, 4-0, 5-1, etc. then they qualify. It's more difficult because we didn't get an away goal, and were unlucky not to get it. Whereas however many Kuwait score, we'll have to score 4 more. "For two-leg ties you just add the two scores together. So Kuwait leads 3-0. Then if we win 2-0, you add them and Kuwait would win 3-2 for example. If it's a draw, e.g. Azkals win 3-0 as well so it's 3-3 on aggregate, then you decide by away goals - as none would be scored in that case it would go to extra time. If the Azkals win 4-1, then aggregate would be 4-4 but Kuwait would have the away goal so would qualify." This leaves the Azkals with a very tall order come Thursday. However, Moore, among others, wants the Azkals fans to put everything in perspective. "Honestly, I think this is a step too far for the Azkals with where they're at now. That people are talking about it though, and we're even thinking about trying to get a result against Kuwait, is an indicator of the huge steps the team have taken. The team used to lose by 5 to 10 goals regularly, now they're looking to play well against a team ranked 102 in the FIFA world rankings. Massive steps. "A good indicator of the team's progress will be the Suzuki Cup. I think the Philippines can now play anyone in South East Asia and look to win. Again, two years ago this was impossible. Now, it's a very real possibility. Once they have proven themselves in Southeast Asia, e.g. Suzuki Cup, I think they'll be better prepared to prove themselves in the Asian tournaments like the Challenge Cup, the Asian Cup, etc. It'll be good to see how they do there," added Moore. The Azkals themselves seem to be in good spirits heading into Thursday's game. "Siyempre disappointed kami pero we have one more game so sana manalo tayo sa next game. Bilog ang bola... so who knows," said Azkals striker Phil Younghusband. The Azkals will kick-off against Kuwait at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets to the game were sold out hours after they were released, so thousands are expected to come out and watch the national team play with their backs against the wall. — RSJ, GMA News
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