Azkals football ‘simple, accurate’

MANILA, Philippines - Their progress now spiked with a win and three goals in the previous match, Azkals coach Thomas Dooley calls on his wards to stay the course and keep on playing “simple and accurate” as they continue their training in Doha, Qatar.

The Azkals have rewarded Dooley with a 3-0 spanking of Nepal Friday night after settling for a scoreless draw with Malaysia and yielding a 0-1 defeat to Azerbaijan in a previous overseas sortie.

They should come in with a lot more confidence and spunk when they tangle Qatari club Al Ahli early Tuesday (Manila time).

“I want to play simple and accurate,” said Dooley on the eve of the friendly. “I only expect that we continue playing football and not chasing opponents.”

Dooley gave new faces like Curt Dizon, Daisuke Sato, Nicholas O’Donnell and Martin Steuble their day in the field against Nepal and they responded well in partnership with the veterans of the team, both in offense and defense.

“They worked so hard, that they are getting little things here and there, but overall they are all good to go,” said Dooley, who is tasked to prepare the Azkals for their title bid in next month’s Asian Cup-qualifying AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives.