Azkals eye opening draw in Kuwait

IN contrast to the all-out attack against Sri Lanka, the Philippines will play a "smart, defense-oriented" counterattacking game in its second-round Asian World Cup qualifying clash against Kuwait, according to German coach Michael Weiss.

"We will go 4-5-1," said Weiss of the formation he intends to use when the Azkals play the Kuwaitis in the opening leg at the 22,000-capacity Mohammad Al Hamad Stadium on July 23 in Kuwait City.

This means Weiss intends to pack the midfield with five players to control the ball, leaving one striker up front.

With his new formation, Weiss said the Azkals "will aim for a scoreless draw. That’s what we are going for. And I would be more than happy if we get that."

The Filipino booters went 4-4-2 in the two-game series against the Sri Lankans and advanced to the next round with a 5-1 aggregate tally, highlighted by an emphatic 4-0 shutout of the Brave Reds last July 3 at the jammed Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Phil Younghusband was paired with Fil-Spanish forward Angel Guirado as the starting strikers in both matches, but Weiss intends to use Guirado in midfield against Kuwait "because he can work defensively for sure."

The one-game suspension of fleet-footed and heady Fil-German midfielder Stefan Schrock, who got booked two yellow cards against Sri Lanka, has forced Weiss to recall Fil-Danish Jason de Jong and tap Fil-German Patrick Hinrichsen to shore up the middle.

De Jong, who last saw action for the nationals during the Asian Challenge Cup qualifying match against Mongolia in Bacolod last Feb. 9, and Hinrichsen started practicing with the team last week.

The two will likely be aligned with Chieffy Caligdong, James Younghusband and Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena, who is also expected to be back in harness for the matches against Kuwait.

Weiss was more concerned with his backline which will miss skipper and solid defender Aly Borromeo, who was also slapped two yellow cards against the Red Devils.

Fil-Icelander Ray Jonsson will also be back for the Kuwait series, and will regain his spot at left back that was ably filled in by Fil-Dutch Paul Mulders who will be unavailable due to his club commitments.

Bong Pedralvez, Business Insight