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.