Kahit natalo sa Singapore Lions, respeto nakuha ng Philippine Azkals
MANILA, Philippines - Maaaring nabigo ang Philippine Azkals sa nakaraang semifinal tie ng 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, ngunit nakuha naman nila ang respeto ng mga malalakas na koponan sa rehiyon.
Inilarawan ni veteran defender Daniel Bennett ng finalist Singapore ang Azkals bilang mabigat na kalaban at inaasahan niyang magiging contenders sa susunod na Suzuki Cup.
“You know they just have to keep on going,” wika ni Bennett matapos talunin ng Lions ang Azkals, 1-0, sa second leg ng semifinal tie sa Jalan Besar Stadium.
“They have a good side and they missed a couple of players as well in the Suzuki Cup (goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and midfielder Stephan Schrock) but I can see in years to come that Phl will be very, very hard to beat,” dagdag pa nito.
Pinuwersa ng Azkals ang Lions sa scoreless draw sa first leg sa Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Ang goal naman ni Khairul Amri sa 19th minute sa second leg ang nagpanalo sa Lions.
“That game (return leg) could have gone either way, honestly. I mean they came in probably with a slight advantage as we haven’t scored an away goal so it was tough for us. But getting that first goal was key to our game really,” ani Benneth.
Miyembro ng Singapore team na nagkampeon sa nasabing Asean tourney noong 2004 at 2007, nakita ng 34-anyos na si Bennett ang paglakas ng Azkals sa nakaraang mga taon.
“I think it’s already shown from two years ago, that they’re a much stronger team (now) and it’s getting harder and harder to beat them,” ani Benneth.
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