Azkals fail Bahrain test

MANILA, Philippines - The Phl Azkals suffered a 1-2 setback to Bahrain’s under-23 Olympic team in sweltering heat in Bahrain early yesterday (Manila time) at the start of their buildup for a second round World Cup Asian qualifier match with Kuwait.

Travel-weary and using some of the non-starters more, the Azkals gave up an early goal in the ninth minute when Bahrain’s Abdulwahab Al Malood scooted past Anton del Rosario and flicked it home, according to internet reports on the match held at hot and humid National Stadium in Riffa, Bahrain.

Chieffy Caligdong knocked down the equalizer at the 40th, firing a highlight-reel 30-yard shot that stormed past Bahraini goalkeeper Eyad Nasser Salem to the delight of some 5,000 Filipino OFWs who trooped to the venue.

The Azkals, however, made a defensive lapse in the 49th, when Sayed Dhiya Saeed found himself with a clear path near the goal and gamely tapped it past Azkals goalkeeper Edward Sacapano.

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

Weiss opted to sit out striker Phil Younghusband, who is coming back from hamstring injury in the first of two test matches against Bahrain, staged as part of the Azkals’ training for their matchup with Kuwait next week.

“Didn’t play today: (coach didn’t think I’m was ready to play:(thanks for all the support and loud cheers guys!:)” Younghusband said on his Twitter account.

Despite the loss, the Azkals felt good about their efforts against Bahrain XI.

“It was a good test for us, especially to get used to this weather before Kuwait next week (Saturday). Everyone worked hard, and we did well to keep the game close,” James Younghusband said for his part.

The Azkals will play the Bahrainis again on Monday night (12 midnight in Manila) for the second match, also the highlight of the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games.

In playing tune-up games with the Azkals, the Bahrainis are also preparing for their campaign in the main round of the Asian qualifiers for next year’s London Olympics.