Schrock-solid vs Lions: Azkals win first in 40 years

SINGAPORE – The Philippine Azkals showed they are no longer the sleeping dogs that the regional power Singapore Lions used to run over the last 40 years, eking out an emphatic 2-0 victory Friday night in an international friendly at the Jurong West Stadium here.

Energized by the efficient plays of Fil-German Stephan Schrock at midfield that was duly complemented by the solid backline, the Azkals rendered the Lions toothless to score Phl’s first victory over the hosts since an “unlikely” 2-0 triumph way back 1972.

“For a long time, we haven’t won any game against Singapore. We needed this win and it’s big especially against Singapore which is one of the best teams in Southeast Asia. And we won it in their home turf,” said Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta.

“It was a very satisfying performance,” said coach Michael Weiss. “We dominated the game, but should have played the counter more smartly and we could have scored more. It is a massive win for us and gives us a lot of confidence.”

Early goals in both halves from captain Chieffy Caligdong (eighth) and Phil Younghusband (49th) – both in combo with the prolific Shrock – gave the visiting Azkals the needed boost to reverse the tide here.

“Overall, the key was our defense. You can see that our defense was holding, and they were very disciplined,” said Araneta, giving extra credit to Rob Gier, who according to him, was “the man of the match, aside from Schrock.”

Gier called it a statement win, a sort of warning to the Azkals’ rivals in the Nov. 24-Dec. 1 Suzuki Cup.

“It’s a massive, massive statement to the rest of Southeast Asia, that we came to Singapore and beat them, 2-nil. We’ve always been under the shadow of the (unexpected semis run in the previous) Suzuki Cup, you know, they were lucky, this and that and I think this proved we’re serious contenders now,” said Gier.

They may be savoring this victory but the Azkals wouldn’t want to get carried away so much.

“I prefer to be more conservative. Of course, having last won (against Singapore) in 1972 and having won in 2012 is really an achievement for us and it shows how much we have improved,” said team manager Dan Palami.

“But once again, I want to put everything into concept, which is our preparations for the Suzuki Cup. And it’s a good thing after the (scoreless) draw with Cambodia, which we should have won. This at least sends a strong message to them, that we’re here to really try to get good results,” he added.

Schrock of Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim made a huge impact in the match, chasing the ball all over the pitch and dishing off neat passes to create scoring opportunities.

He fed Caligdong at the right moment early on and the Ilonggo winger made good on his shot, which bounced off the grass and into the goal. The Fil-German was again at it four minutes into the second half, delivering a beautiful through-ball past Harris Harun and into Younghusband who placed it to the back of the net for 2-0.

“Schrocki was obviously the star of the show, he’s made one of the best performances the Phl has ever seen. But it’s not just about Schrocki, it’s about every one of the players who was absolutely magnificent out there,” said Gier.

The Azkals left for Laos yesterday, taking a long route that would take them to Vietnam and Cambodia along the way. They’ll play Laos on Monday for the last leg of their series of friendlies.