FORMER national coach Norman Fegidero Jr. would like to see more time together and tuneup matches for the Philippine Azkals before they plunge into action in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup championships kicking off in November.
“Skills-wise, they are already at par with anyone in the region, but they should practice together more and get several tuneup matches under their belt,” said Fegidero, who handled the Filipino booters when they saw action in the 2008 Asian Fooball Confederation Challenge Cup qualifying tournament held in Bacolod City.
Under his tutelage and despite the lack of international exposure, the Nationals finished with a record of two wins and one draw, good for seven points, in a tie with Tajikistan, which advanced to the main tournament on goal difference.
Bannered by siblings Phil and James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Chad Gould and Aly Borromeo, Fegidero’s charges battled the the Tajiks to a scoreless draw when they collided.
A star of the PH side that finished fourth place in the 1991 Manila Southeast Asian Games —the country’s best finish in the regional meet—the mentor noted that “cohesiveness is important, especially for a national team competing in the Suzuki Cup.
“It is vital if the Azkals had more time together as a team so that they can blend together well, which is why they also should have more tuneup matches.”
The Azkals are scheduled to have test matches against North Korea on Oct. 7 and Turkmenistan on Oct. 10, respectively, at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.
With the retirement of veteran defenders Juani Guirado and Robert Gier plus the sidelining of Simone Rota, who recently suffered a knee injury, Fegidero said that there might be some problems in the back row. “But I believe that the rest of our players can step up. (Azkals) coach Thomas Dooley will be able to adequately address these issues.”
He added that playing in front of a hometown crowd would give the Azkals a much-needed boost “and there is a huge chanced we will be able to make our first appearance in the Suzuki Cup finals” after three straight semifinal appearances in the tournament.
