Azkals bow to Bahrain's Under-23

MANILA, Philippines — Handicapped by the absence of several star players, the Philippine football team bowed to Bahrain’s Under-23 Olympic side, 2-1, on Saturday in the first of two friendly matches serving as the Filipinos’ buildup for their second round clash against Kuwait in the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup.

Bahrain caught the Azkals flatfooted early when Abdulwhab Al Malood struck past Anton Del Rosario in the ninth minute, giving the hosts reason for celebration despite the reportedly extremely hot and humid condition at the National Stadium.

But the Azkals did not give up easily as Chieffy Caligdong leveled the count before the end of the first half with a spectacular left-footed shot from 30 yards that sent some 5,000 Filipino fans on their feet.

The Filipinos, however, couldn’t sustain the momentum as Sayed Dhiya Saeed restored Bahrain’s lead for good with a tap-in from close range that went past keeper Edward Sacapano, who replaced the absent Fil-British goalie Neil Etheridge.

Aside from Etheridge, who is in England because of his commitment with English Premiere League team Fulham, the Azkals also played minus striker Phil Younghusband who is still recovering from hamstring injury.

“It was a good experience for our side against a good Olympic team from Bahrain,” Azkals German coach Michael Weiss told the Gulf Daily News. “We were missing a couple of players here and there, but big credit to our guys who overcame fatigue and the heat tonight.”

The Azkals are training in Bahrain to get acclimatized with the oven-hot condition in the region and in Kuwait, which has an average nighttime temperature of 38 and 42 degrees Celsius. The Philippines will face Kuwait on July 23 for the first qualifying leg.

The Azkals, who are set to meet the same Bahrain team Monday at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad, thanked the Filipino expatriates for their support.

“It felt like a home game,” Borromeo told the GDN.

While the Azkals faltered in their friendly match, Kuwait proved victorious in its build up as it ruled the four-nation Jordanian Union League recently by beating Saudi Arabia, 1-0.

Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin