But Lucena doubtful: Guirado, Cagara get ok to play

MANILA, Philippines - The 3. Fußball-Liga side Karlsruher SC and Indian League club Salgaocar FC yesterday said they are releasing Fil-Danish defender Dennis Cagara and Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado, respectively, to the Philippine team, guaranteeing a near full-bodied Azkals crew for Saturday night’s first leg of the Suzuki Cup Last 4 against the Singapore Lions at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

“It will be important to have a near full-strength team against a strong team like Singapore,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami. “Dennis is an experienced player at the back and he will surely boost our defense while Angel provides us with the spark, especially in counter-attacks.” 

Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena, however, is highly unlikely to come over for the Manila leg as his club, Esbjerg fB, has a game in the Danish Superliga on the same day. But the Azkals are hoping he could return for their away match on Dec. 12 in Singapore.

The Lions, on the other hand, will miss Chinese-born winger Shi Jiayi in addition to midfielder Hariss Harun, who had been earlier ruled out of the showdown with the Azkals.

Shi, a naturalized player who started in Singapore’s three matches in the group stages, returned to his native Shanghai to attend to a family emergency, according to the AFF Suzuki Cup’s official website. 

Thus, the 29-year-old Shi will not be with the team when the Lions fly to Manila today for the first leg and his stint in the return match is also doubtful.

Shi provides Singapore with versatility. He usually plays on the right wing but was utilized as a makeshift defender in the matches against Indonesia and Laos.

Hariss, for his part, has been declared out of the tourney as early as last week after fracturing his right shin in the Lions’ 1-0 loss to Indonesia in their second game of the group stages. He would need six to eight weeks to recover.

Vice captain Hariss combined well with Fahruddin Mustafic at midfield in helping the Lions post a 3-0 opening day win over holders Malaysia.

The Lions, according to Palami, will be a tough customer for the home side.

“They have the heft. There are few teams in Southeast Asia which is actually bigger and taller than Phl and Singapore is one who’s almost as tall and as big as us,” the Azkals boss said.

“Also, they have been playing together for quite some time already, therefore, familiarity and cohesion are there. Of course, they have the composure, being champions three times already and they have a good coach (Radojko Avramovic) complementing their good, technical skills,” he added.