Azkals feel like victors in loss to North Koreans

KATHMANDU – The Philippine Azkals held forth most of the way against defending champion North Korea but surrendered a 2-0 setback that’s considered a good result against a side favored to rule the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup yesterday at the Halchowk Stadium here.

Pouncing on an opening on the Azkals’ left flank, Jong Il Gwan launched a cross to Pak Nam Chol, who finished it with a header past Neil Etheridge on the 58th minute as the Chollima pulled through against a defensively tight Phl XI for the first time.

The North Koreans doubled the lead 11 minutes later when Jang Kuk Chol knocked it home as Etheridge lost the ball in what appeared to some as a foul on the Chollima attacker.

“With the means we have, you can’t challenge an opponent who one and half year ago participated in the World Cup and many players were here today. You could see (North) Korea has a good system based on lots of years playing together unlike our team, some of whom arrived just two days ago,” said coach Michael Weiss.

Still, the German mentor felt good about this result, something they hope to build on when they go for a win against India tomorrow.

“I’m very satisfied. We’re not here to celebrate a loss but we have to take all factors of football into consideration. We lost 2-0 to a very strong team and that’s a realistically good result,” said Weiss.

He lauded the team’s “tight defense” for the whole 90 minutes in the debut game at the small stadium offering a view of the Kathmandu Valley.

Chollima coach Yung Jong Su through an interpreter said he was a bit surprised with the improvement of the Azkals.

“They’re much developed than previously. The way they played was beyond our expectations,” Yung said.

Etheridge was a busy man in front of the goal as the Chollima made it clear from the start they were on attack mode.

The Fulham keeper Etheridge had conceded a goal – almost – on a penalty shot by Park Song Chol at the 15th minute that the referees nullified for encroachment, calling a re-take. But the 21-year-old Etheridge was better prepared the next time, clawing away Park’s low shot.

Etheridge got hurt protecting the turf in the 28th, got up after a couple of minutes after treatment and played out his goal-tending role with gusto from there, saving two more close calls before the half ended.

The Fil-British swatted away Jang Myong Il’s attempt, got bumped by Park who tried to rebound hard, and confronted the Nokor for it, triggering a heated moment at the 35th marked by pushing and trash-talking.

The Azkals got scoring opportunity early goings, getting by his defender only to find his shot thwarted by Ri Myong Guik.

The two played on even terms in the first 45 minutes but the powerhouse North Koreans re-established what was inevitable in the final half.