THE Philippine Azkals were down to 18 players ahead of their two-leg 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal round encounter against Vietnam, which starts Sunday night at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
Filipino-English goalkeeper Neil Etheridge left the team to play for Cardiff City in the English Premier League while Filipino-British Luke Woodland was out for the rest of the tournament due to injury.
Filipino-Japanese left back Daisuke Sato was also recalled by Romanian football club Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe after allowing him to play in the previous matches of the Philippine national men’s football team.
Stephan Palla was also summoned back to Thailand for Buriram’s preseason training camp while Filipino-German midfielder Patrick Strauss also went back to Germany to his Bundesliga 2 club Erzebirge Aue.
AZKALS ‘NEED FAN SUPPORT’
Despite their depleted roster, Azkals star Phil Younghusband remained positive about their chances against Vietnam – especially because they were opening the semifinals at home in Bacolod City.
“We should take confidence that we are at home in the first leg,” said Younghusband. “We have to make the most out of that home advantage. It’s important that we get a result so that we’ll have something to fight for in the second leg.”
“I am appealing for more support from Filipino fans. If you are in Bacolod, can fly to Bacolod or can tell friends in Bacolod – let’s try and fill Panaad Stadium,” he said.
“In our semifinals [matches] in the past, we sometimes struggled in the away ties because of the atmosphere and the hostile crowd that cheer their home team and intimidate us. We need to do the same in our turf,” Younghusband added.
Eight years ago in the same tournament the Azkals came up with a huge upset against Vietnam to reach the semifinal round, where the Philippine team lost to Thailand./PN
