AZKALS–U23 BATTLES TIMOR LESTE TODAY; EYES TO AVENGE OPENER LOSS VS. VIETNAM

 

Azkals’ goalkeeper Fil-German Roland Muller

AFTER that disappointing 3-1 opening loss against Asian powerhouse Vietnam last Thursday, the Philippine Azkals–U23 squad is back on the field as they take Timor Leste today in the ongoing 26th Southeast Asian Games held at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Sana, we should not lose another match para makarating sa semis,” said Azkals’ Team Coordinator Jogie Ronda on Saturday.

With the current standing, the Filipinos need to sweep their remaining assignments to reach the Final Four where, the Philippines is in what is considered as the “Group of Hope” with Myanmar, Brunei, Laos and Vietnam, as the only real powerhouse.

Suiting up for the national squad are Negrense strikers Fil-Am Joshua Beloya McNally, Gerardo Valmayor III and midfielder Jake Morallo. McNally and Morallo are teammates in the PFF-Suzuki U23 National Cup champion Ceres-Negros while Valmayor is from San Carlos City and currently with the University of the Philippines.

Also in the 20-man team are skipper Fil-Dutch Jason De Jong, Fil-British siblings Matthew and Mark Hartmann, Fil-German Manny Ott, Mark Drinkuth and Patrick Hinrichsen, Fil-Belgian Jeff Christiaens and Jacques Van Bossche, Fil-American OJ Porteria, Filipino-Italian brothers Marwin and Marvin Angeles, Fil-Spanish Carlos Alberto De Murga, David Basa, Jerry Barbaso, OJ Clarino from University of Sto. Tomas, Ilonggos Neckson Leonora and Raymark Fernandez.

Meanwhile, tasked as the last defender is first goalkeeper Fil-German Roland Muller, and backed by Cebuano Paolo Pascual and Christopher Camcam of Kaya Cignal FC.

VS. VIETNAM

Ott gave the Azkals a 1-nil lead on a 37^th minute goal just inside the box off a reverse pass from Mark Hartmann.

However, an accidental header from Matthew Hartmann went on an own goal and put both teams equal at 1-all. Hartmann tried to deflect an attempt from striker Nguyen Trong Hoang.

The second goal came after Muller slumped on the ground following the deflection of a point-blank attempt, leaving Le Huang Thien with an open follow-up shot.

Vietnam nailed an insurance goal with less than a minute left in injury time when Nguyen Van Quyet escaped a defender before flicking in a left-footed shot way beyond Muller’s reach.

MULLER’S PERFORMANCE

Despite the loss, Fil-German keeper Muller played a brilliant game as he able to save at least nine Vietnamese goal attempts.

The 5’11” Muller was very athletic and has anticipated goal attacks well.

The top two countries advance to the crossover semifinals, where they will meet the top two finishers from Group A, the so-called "Group of Death" with heavyweights Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and host Indonesia all bunched together. JEROME S. GALUNAN JR.