No adjustments for Azkals – Weiss

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Michael Weiss is leaving no stones unturned to ensure a Philippine victory against Sri Lanka tomorrow in the second leg of their opening Asian World Cup qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

The 46-year-old German gave his players a one-day rest and spent the day watching the video of their recent match in Colombo which ended in a 1-1 draw.

“Based on what I saw, I think there will be no significant adjustment (on Sunday), although we have to limit long balls,” Weiss said. “We will continue to pressure and attack them in the beginning.”

Weiss said the difficult pitch in Colombo affected his side’s performance especially in the first half.

With a better pitch and crowd support at Rizal, the Azkals are expected to flaunt their true attacking form in the 3 p.m. match.

But Weiss warns his players against complacency.

“They (Sri Lanka) are not a Mickey Mouse team. They will play until they die for their country,” Weiss said. “They are physically strong and have been together for a longer time.”

Despite the fact that the Lankans scored the first goal, Weiss believes they dominated the first half with seven or eight opportunities, but just couldn’t finish.

The Azkals were able to equalize seven minutes later – thanks to a header by rookie Fil-Am Nate Burkey.

The national team, which arrived Thursday night, only needs a scoreless draw to advance to the second round against Kuwait by virtue of away goal, but Weiss said they will go for the kill.

“It will be negative if we utilize that advantage (scoreless draw),” said Weiss, adding he's not feeling any pressure about the important match.

The Azkals might miss ace striker Phil Younghusband, who is still recovering from hamstring injury he suffered in the first leg. Weiss said Ian Araneta and Nate Burkey will fill in the shoes of Younghusband in the event he is ruled out by doctors.

The Azkals get to test the Rizal pitch tomorrow at 4 p.m., shortly before the Lankans take their turn at 3 p.m.

A sell-out crowd of 13,000 are expected to jam the historic stadium – proof of the Azkals’ drawing power.

“They (crowd) will overwhelm Sri Lanka,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta. It is unlikely that President Aquino would watch the game at Rizal, according to Araneta.

“If he will be coming, he would have informed us. The PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) or the PSG (Presidential Security Group should have already been coordinating with us,” he said.

Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin