Ex-coach sees more solid game vs visitors

MANILA, Philippines - Former national coach Aris Caslib agreed that lack of cohesion hounded the Azkals in their first leg against Sri Lanka but expressed confidence the team will improve on this when they play the second leg tomorrow.

The Azkals, described as possibly the strongest crew assembled, trailed the Brave Reds, 0-1 and only salvaged a 1-1 draw on Fil-Am Nate Burkey’s header the first time they met in the 2014 Fifa World Cup Asian qualifiers.

“The preparations are still on target. We just have to expect a few concerns (such as the ones that came up in the first leg). This is the first time we’ve assembled a strong team and we just have to build on cohesion and understanding,” said Caslib.

“But I think we’ll be able to play very well on Sunday and show better tactical cohesion, better tactical understanding and more chances to score,” added current the technical director of the Philippine Football Federation.

Some quarters were disappointed with the 1-1 result but for Caslib, it was not bad.

“The first leg was a safe result for us because we’re able to equalize in the second half. A 0-0 score (in the second leg) might even make us qualify (to the second round). But if we can win it, so much the better,” he said.

Azkals’ starting striker Phil Younghusband, nursing a hamsting injury, remains a doubtful starter but Caslib believed the others can cover.

“We still have to see whether he can play but at the end of the day, we have a lot of talented players in front to cover, like Chieffy (Caligdong), Angel (Guirado), James (Younghusband) and (Nate) Burkey,” said Caslib, who handled the Phl XI from 2004 to 2008.

Younghusband was set to undergo tests yesterday, according to team coordinator Ace Bright.

“By tomorrow (today) we’ll know the results of the test and make an announcement on his status for Sunday’s match,” Bright told The STAR.