Azkals cautioned against taking Uzbeks lightly ahead of match

It’s difficult to say which team would prevail in the September 8 football game at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue town, Bulacan province: the Philippine national football team, the Azkals, or the team from Uzbekistan. 

This is according to Azkals team manager Dan Palami. For his part, coach Thomas Dooley remains realistic, telling the Azkals that Uzbekistan is a strong team whose players are exposed to top-level matches in Europe and Asia.

“We are up against a team that is in 76th place (in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or Fifa, rankings), with players who have regional experience,” Palami said.

The Azkals are ranked 125th in the August Fifa rankings.

Palami said some Uzbek players had played in regional football leagues with strong teams, giving them formidable experience and exposure to tough competitors.

One such player, Server Djeparov, is a two-time Asian Footballer of the Year honoree, while others play in Russian football clubs, like Odil Akhmedov and Vitaliy Denisov.

According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website, Uzbekistan is considered one of the best football teams in Asia, along with Iran, South Korea, Japan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and China.

Palami said that, in order to win, the Azkals should “capitalize on chances afforded to them” during the match.

“They (players) should be focused and disciplined and utilize strong defense against the Uzbeks,” he added.

The team manager also said they had studied the video of the Uzbeks’ game against the North Koreans on June 16, where the latter triumphed over the former with a 4-2 score.

In the AFC Asian Cup in January, Uzbekistan beat North Korea, 1-0, in Sydney, Australia.

Dooley said the Uzbeks would be highly motivated going into the Sept. 8 match and try to make up for their surprising defeat in the hands of the North Koreans.

“I told them (Azkals) the Uzbeks have international experience and (are) technically good, and have members who played in Asian and Russian leagues,” Dooley said as he emphasized the need to avoid being overconfident.

He said the Azkals should not allow the Uzbeks to score first, or it would be difficult for the team to recover.

Dooley, however, expressed confidence that the Azkals would give their best in Tuesday’s match.

“They have been working hard and playing good football.” He said. “We have a great team where everybody works for everybody.”

The coach admitted that the Azkals did not give their all during the friendly match against Maldives last Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex to avoid unnecessary injuries.

The Azkals won, 2-0.

Although Uzbekistan has never qualified for the World Cup finals, it is a regular participant in the AFC Asian Cup and has consistently been the strongest team out of the new countries of Central Asia following the collapse of the Soviet Union. PNA 

Tickets for the Azkals vs Uzbekistan game can now be bought through www.ticketworld.com.ph.