Azkals eye one more milestone

Manila, Philippines - The time has come for the popular Azkals to prove their true worth when they play at the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium, where past generations frolicked during the best years of Philippine football.

The Azkals mix it up with Sri Lankans at the refurbished Rizal pitch at 3:30 p.m. today, their eyes set on history, too, a breakthrough berth to the second round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup Asian qualifiers.

“We’re very upbeat, the morale is up and everyone’s in high spirits at the moment,” Azkals captain Aly Borromeo said on the eve of match set before an expected crowd of more than 12,000.

The Azkals fought Sri Lanka to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Colombo last Wednesday and only need a scoreless draw today to win the matchup and face Kuwait in the second round.

“All I can say is we’re gonna give our 100 percent in this match. We’re not just gonna sit out there and defend. We’re gonna play a really slow game and go for a win,” he said.

If today’s match ends with a 1-1 tie, a 30-minute extension ensues to settle the outcome. But if it goes 2-2, Sri Lanka will prevail via the away goal and reach the second round.

It’s been a long time since a big football match was set at the Rizal pitch, the last one during the 1991 SEA Games, a tourney remembered for the Filipinos’ huge 1-0 win over then defending champion Malaysia.

“A few of us waited for more than eight years to finally be able to play a home game in Manila (Rizal),” Borromeo said. “We’re very much upbeat and ready for tomorrow.”

Described as the strongest lineups in years, the Azkals struggled to a 1-1 standoff in their away game but now look poised to bounce back and not disappoint their fans.

“I think the players will be more thrilled playing in their homecourt. We look forward to play against a strong opponent and hopefully we can succeed to the next level,” Phl coach Michael Weiss said.

All the players in harness for the away game will be back for the Azkals’ home match as Phil Younghusband, the starting striker who suffered a hamstring injury, was cleared to play.

“Everybody’s pretty healthy and eager to play,” said Borromeo.

With a pratically complete lineup and playing on familiar grounds, expectations for the Azkals are raised even higher today.

But do they feel the mounting pressure?

“Ask any of the player and he will say: which pressure?” said Weiss.

“They’re pretty much looking forward to it. Pressure is for poor people who don’t know what they will eat tomorrow but for us, it’s only excitement and happiness, no pressure.”

The Brave Reds are similarly “pressure-free.”

“We know there are many Filipinos coming to the match but it doesn’t matter. We want to win and we’re not pressured,” said SL captain Rohana Ruwan Dinesh.