MANILA, Philippines – No Etheridge and Muller, no problem.
Third choice keeper Ed Sacapaño played the best game of his career in leading the Philippine Azkals to a 1-nil victory Thursday night over the Singapore Lions, their second straight win in two months before a full capacity crowd at the Abellana Field inside the Cebu Sports Center in Cebu City.
Looking to build on their confidence heading to the AFF Suzuki Cup that is set to kick off next week, the Azkals accomplished their goal, especially Sacapaño, who might start with first and second choice keepers Neil Etheridge and Rolland Muller still doubtful to play due to commitments to their mother clubs. Etheridge's club Bristol Rovers already ruled out his participation in the Suzuki Cup while Muller's German club MSV Duiberg has yet to release the Azkals' second choice keeper.
Sacapaño made several sensational saves – including two in the first half – that kept the Azkals from yielding a goal to the visiting Lions, who were looking for revenge after a 2-0 beating they received from the Filipinos at home last September.
The Lions made 13 shots on target, seven more than the Azkals, but solid defending by the backline led by Rob Gier and Juani Guirado coupled by the brilliance of Sacapaño did the job done on defense.
"(Ed) Sacapano performed beyond my expectations, has performed well for the past year. With Edward, we are in good hands," Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss said. "This could be a good morale boost heading into Suzuki Cup.
"If Etheridge or Muller will come (to the Suzuki Cup) it will be a big plus, but with Ed we are in good hands," Weiss added.
The Lions got lucky on a controversial foul called on Jeffrey Christiaens inside the box. But Sacapaño came through with a world-class save, punching Shi Jiavi's penalty kick to the right just before the break.
Christiaens was tagged with the foul when TV replays clearly showed he avoided contact and that it was Singapore striker Khairul Amri who rammed into him.
The crowd’s anger turned into a roar of approval as Sacapaño more than held his own with the superb save.
Marwin Angeles scored the match’s lone goal on a brilliant set-piece by the Azkals in the 55th minute.
The play started off with a beautiful cross from Phil Younghusband – who only came in on top of the second half – which ran through Patrick Reichelt on the other end before ending up in Angeles’ feet in front of the goal’s mouth.
Singapore goalie Hyrlnizam Juma’at was slow to react on the quick turn of events, much to the delight of the strong Cebu crowd.
Sensing blood, the Azkals looked to finish off the Lions but two headers by Peace Cup Golden Booter Denis Wolf coming off James Younghusband’s crosses sailed wide.
Singapore took another chance to equalize on a free kick just above the penalty box in the 73rd minute but Sacapaño came up with a brilliant double-save.
“Para sa team ito at para na rin sa akin. Confident ako dahil nandun si Rob (Gier) at Juani (Guirado) sa backline,” Sacapaño said in the post-match interview.
Not even Aleksander Duric’s entrance at the start of the second half could kick off Singapore’s drive for revenge. The 42-year old Duric, who recently won his third S. League’s Player of the Year award, was a non-factor, thanks to the solid defending of the Azkals at the back.
The Nationals almost booked a second goal coming from late sub Ian Araneta in the injury time but his attempt was ruled offside.
Nonetheless, the Azkals won their second in a row against the strong Southeast Asian rival and only the second time in the last 16 meetings.
The Azkals will fly to Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 20 for the AFF Suzuki Cup and will play host Thailand on the 24th, to be followed by Vietnam on 27th and Myanmar on the 30th hoping to crash the top two in the group to return to the semifinals.