Azkals settle for 1-all draw vs Tigers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines Azkals stood three minutes away from reprising the Pinoys’ epic 1991 upset of Malaysia at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, but they conceded a late goal to take a 1-1 draw with the Tigers last night.

Fil-German Denis Wolf scored a diving header off a long throw-in from Jason Sabio at the 34th minute as the stadium erupted in cheers, anticipating yet another monumental reversal by the Phl booters, especially with the Fifa international friendly reaching its 90th minute plus three minutes of added time.

But to the horror of Pinoy fans in the 7,000 strong crowd, the Tigers found their way to knock in the equalizer a minute into injury time when substitute Ahmad Shakar MD Ali eluded Jason Sabio and gamely flicked the ball past Neil Etheridge as they dodged the Azkals’ upset axe.

“Overall, I think we all can be pleased (with the performance) against a very solid and strong team with good cohesion and good style of football play. We’re a little bit unlucky in the end but overall it’s a fair result,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss.

“I think we played a good game, said Etheridge, who made at least three crucial saves that held the Tigers scoreless for majority of the match.

“I think that it proved to everyone how far we’ve come over the last two years and we’re only gonna take bigger steps forward. Of course, we wanted to win the game, who doesn’t want to win? We live and learn, it’s a friendly game,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Azkals can take a page from the Tigers’ book in a bid to sustain their progress in international football.

“Grassroots is very important,” said Malaysia coach Datuk K. Rajagobal, stressing he has been a proponent of youth development and long-term buildup.

The Tigers are probably the most successful ASEAN football nation at present, holding both the AFF Suzuki Cup and the Southeast Asian Games crowns.

“After winning the Suzuki Cup, everybody’s asking us how we did it. I’d answer it’s simple, we have to start from the every basic – the youth and grassroots level,” said Rajagobal, here to call the shots for the Tigers.

According to Rajagobal, the Malaysian success traced its roots from the under-19 crew it formed back in 2003.

“It started from there. I kept most of the players together and it took from that year (to six years later) before we get to be champions in 2009 in the SEA Games and Suzuki Cup in 2010,” he said.

Malaysia repeated as SEA Games last year in Indonesia, where the Azkals’ under-23 side placed fifth and last in Group B with a 1-0-4 record.

“It takes time, you have to be patient,” he advised.

Rajagobal urged local football leaders to take advantage of the renewed interest in the sport brought about by the Azkals’ breakthrough semis stint in the 2010 Suzuki Cup to continue the progress.

“The Philippines is in the right direction. Everybody is crazy after the AFF Suzuki Cup and the youth wants to play football and you should take advantage of that,” he said, expressing belief Phl “will very soon be among the best in the SEAG.”

“At the same time, if you want to have a strong (national) team, your national league must be strong,” he added.

He said Malaysia is eager to see the Philippines succeed after being in the doldrums for years.

“Because they’re our neighbors in Southeast Asia, we want to see them progress and over the last two years, I’ve seen the transformation,” he said.