The Premier Development League’s Chicago Inferno were clinical with home pitch advantage, as they romped to a 3-1 victory over the Philippine national team. An early goal from Chad Haworth and first half brace from Drew Jeskey put the Inferno in a commanding position at halftime before the Azkals pulled a goal back in the second half through Carli De Murga.
First half
Missing several key players, including the Younghusband brothers who were at the press conference for the Clear Dream Match, the Philippines looked out of sorts playing in the US. Not only were several integral players missing in the attack and midfield, only two defenders were chosen in the back four, with Jason De Jong partnering Jason Sabio in the heart of the defense with Carli De Murga on the right and Jeffrey Christiaens on the left.
The Chicago Inferno took the lead in the seventh minute through Haworth, who picked up a poor clearance from Jason Sabio and rifled the ball into the top corner from twenty yards out. Just seven minutes later and the Inferno had doubled their lead, as Jeskey latched onto a long ball and lobbed Ed Sacapano, who was in no man’s land.
With the Azkals playing long ball football in the early stages, they couldn’t break down the Inferno defense and resorted to long shots, with Denis Wolf firing just over moments later. The Azkals then began to start passing the ball around more and looked better for it, but still couldn’t find the final ball. Lacking bite upfront, the Inferno took full advantage and added another goal to their lead, with Jeskey’s second of the game on the 32nd minute, via a freekick from the edge of the area that was fired in low and touched in.
Second half
Losing three to nil, Coach Weiss made a few substitutions at halftime, bringing in Matthew Uy, Demit Omphroy and Patrick Reichelt in for Marwin Angeles, Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta. A natural left-back, and with Jeffrey Christiaens as a left winger at left back, it was surprising then to see Matthew Uy in the center of midfield with Chris Greatwich.
Positioning appeared to be big problem for the Azkals, who lacked their usual fluidity. It took until the 63rd minute for the Azkals to threaten the Inferno goal again as a long ball upfield was headed at goal by Reichelt, but was too close to the goalkeeper to worry him. The Azkals pressed throughout the half but couldn’t create a clear-cut opportunity.
To try and change the game, OJ Porteria replaced Misagh Bahadoran in the 68th minute to bring another striker on and the Azkals pushed high. But it was Carli De Murga – after the cameramen finally managed to get a shot of the goalscorer – who pulled a goal back for the Philippines. A great cross from Patrick Reichelt on the 73rd minute found the overlapping full back at the back post unmarked and he clipped the ball into the back of the net on his first touch.
De Murga left the pitch moments later, however, as Marvin Angeles took to the pitch to replace him, before Denis Wolf again shot wide on the 80th minute from inside the area as the Azkals failed to find the back of the net for a second time.
It’s a friendly
The biggest encouragement for the team will be that this is a friendly. Often criticized for not making substitutions and experimenting with the lineup, Coach Weiss was at least trying out different players in different positions. The Philippines also had more shots on goal, with nine total shots and seven on target. With just four shots on target, Chicago was clinical in their attack, but with the better chances, none will doubt they deserved to win the game.
One of the reasons for the loss is that the defense is not normally the place to make changes and experiment with players out of position. That will be the biggest concern for the Philippines, who had only two defenders in the back line despite having four defenders on the pitch in the second half. The left back position has usually been a problem for the Azkals, with Jeffrey Christiaens, Paul Mulders, Jason Sabio and Juani Guirado all being played out of position there over the past year in the absence of Ray Jonsson and Denis Cagara.
And given the difference in height and strength between the American and Filipino players, long ball football was never going to be the most fruitful way for the Azkals. This game perhaps most showed the difference players like the Younghusband brothers, Guirado brothers, Paul Mulders, Stephan Schrock, Lexton Moy, and others make to the team.
The next test for the Azkals will be against the US Virgin Islands who are ranked 178tg in the world, 28 places below the Philippines. On paper the Azkals should roll over their next opposition, but lacking key players, this is not the same team who went on to finish third in the Challenge Cup. To avoid an upset they will now need to regroup, before they take to the pitch anew, on August 18, 7am, PHL time.
