U-23 Azkals force draw against UFL All-Stars

It was a standing-room-only crowd at the Emperador Stadium on Sunday night, as the Under-23 Azkals held the United Football League All-Stars to a 1-1 exhibition game draw.

Although two-time All-Star Izzo Elhabib of Global FC opened the scoring for the night at the 63rd minute, U-23 Azkals’ David Franz Fornea equalized just two minutes later, with both players having come on as substitutes after the break.

An almost-finished stadium

The Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill finally opened its grandstand to spectators. The Empy, as it has been nicknamed, has been used by the UFL for its League competition since early this year, but only the bleachers were open for public use until this match. Additional seating is still being constructed.

The players dressing rooms and officials area were also finally available for use. Permanent restrooms for spectators had opened ahead of time during the UFL awarding ceremonies at the end of June.

First half

The friendly did not have the feel of an exhibition match, as both teams looked determined at the opening.

The UFL All-Stars were certainly not pushovers, with former and current Azkals making up part of the team. In fact, Chieffy Caligdong, Ref Cuaresma, Anto Gonzales, and Chris Greatwich - all currently in the Azkals’ pool - were part of the squad's starting XI. Antonio Albor, Jerry Barbaso, Anton del Rosario, Ruben Doctora Jr., Matthew Hartmann, and Tating Pasilan, who were all at one time part of or called up to the Azkals pool, also started the game, alongside current league MVP and Golden Boot recipient Rufo Sanchez.

The U-23 Azkals were missing key players Jason de Jong, Marwin Angeles, Marvin Angeles, and Jeff Christiaens due to injuries. OJ Porteria and Matthew Uy were unavailable for the match, as were Manny and Mike Ott.

However, Global FC players Mark Hartmann and Nino Ochoterena, Green Archers United/ DLSU’s Patrick Deyto, and Ceres FC’s Joshua Beloya took up the cause, starting with a slew of players rising from the college ranks, namely Amani Aguinaldo, Nathan Alquiros Ronnie Aguisanda, Paolo Bugas, Ray Mark Fernandez, Nathan Octavio, and Jinggoy Valmayor.

The match was quite physical, with some spills on both sides. Anto Gonzales, who also coaches the University of the Philippines men’s football team, was up against some of his own players and even a nephew (U-23 Azkals’ Aguinaldo). However, no quarters were given and in fact, the first foul called in the game was against Gonzales.  

The first half saw its share of tries, with the All-Stars’ del Rosario and Sanchez attacking, but U-23 Azkals keeper Deyto ably guarded his goal. Several attempts from Sanchez and Caligdong were also warded off by Deyto and his able defenders.

The U-23s also attempted some goals, most notably from Valmayor and Aguinaldo, but it was probably Beloya’s try that was most memorable. A spectacular scissor kick at the 25th minute sent the ball over the bar, but All-Star keeper Cuaresma took a hit and crashed to the ground, needing to be replaced by Stallion keeper Gui Hasegawa.

The latter part of the first half saw more attempts from the U-23 Azkals, but it still ended at 0-0.



Second half

All-Star Coach Ernie Nierras from Stallion changed up all his field players, sending in Azkal Misagh Bahadoran, former nationals and pool members Roel Gener, Neckson Leonora, Boogie Margarse, Jake Morallo, Stallion FC players Matthew Nierras, Shirmar Felongco, and Hector Zaghi, two-time All-Star Val Kama, and former UFL MVP Izo Elhabib.

U-23 Azkals Coach Brian Reid only made one substitution at the half, sending in Jeremy Theuer for Nathan Octavio, although minutes later he sent in keeper Nick O’Donnell to relieve Deyto.

Bahadoran, known for his speed on the pitch, met his match in Amani Aguinaldo, who moved to check him as soon as the half began. Aguinaldo, several inches taller than the Azkal, did a good job warding off any attempts from Bahadoran. He had also caused problems for Pasilan and Caligdong in the first half.

At the 63rd minute, All-Star Elhabib outstripped the U-23 Azkals and sent the ball into the net, as O’Donnell was caught flat-footed. However, David Fornea, who was sent in for Nathan Alquiros, instantly made his presence felt, kicking in a ball that was initially swatted away by All-Star keeper Friso Klok who had stepped in for Hasegawa.

Another substitution, Carlo Liay was sent in for Valmayor and immediately caused trouble in front of the All-Star goal, getting the ball back after a rebound, but sending the ball over the bar and All-Star Val Kama to the ground.

Mark Hartmann, who had earlier announced a transfer to Global FC from the Mearlco Sparks, captained the U-23 squad and was sill a threat with his skillful freekicks, even sending a ball through an All-Star wall that was only tipped away by the 6’5" Klok.

As time wound down, U-23 keeper O’Donnell almost caused an own goal, accidentally tapping the ball backwards, but made up for it by making a couple of crucial saves later on.

The proceeds from the friendly will be dedicated to support the U-23 squad.

An almost-complete team

The U-23 Azkals showed a lot of promise, and although it is yet unsure if they will make it to Myanmar for this year’s Southeast Asian Games, it was clear that they have the talent, skill, and heart to compete in that tournament.

Much like the stadium they played in, the team is almost complete and only needs a chance to show what they can do. - AMD, GMA News