Azkals still can't solve Indonesia problem, fall 2-0

(Updated 12:12am) Amidst a raucous crowd, the Philippine Azkals suffered their first loss of 2013 at the hands of a familiar foe, Indonesia, 2-0, Monday at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Indonesia.

In 22 meetings between the two sides, the Azkals have only gotten two draws and 20 defeats, with one of those deadlocks coming in June of 2012, when they managed to tie 2-2 despite being down nine men.

Goals on either side of halftime gave the FIFA-ranked 169th side the victory over the Philippines, which just clinched their highest-ever ranking of 141st in the world.

Greg Nwokolo tapped Indonesia ahead in the 31st minute, before Muhammad Roby headed in a corner in the 66th, as seventh-best side in Southeast Asia had more than enough to defeat number two.

First half

Indonesia began the game pushing down the left wing to exploit the Azkals' awkward positioning. First, Boaz Solossa, the Indonesian captain, fired over from distance after Carli De Murga’s weak header, and with an out-of-position James Younghusband. Then, Rob Gier uncharacteristically gave the ball away in a dangerous position and some showboating, Greg Nwokolo went down easily, looking for a penalty under Carli’s challenge, but none was given.

The Philippines struggled to put an attack together as Indonesia continued to surge. The home side got their rewards in the 31st, as Nwokolo tapped in from a Stefano Lilipaly cross, 1-0. A nicely played through ball set the move up, finding Lilipaly in too much space in the Philippines’ box, and he fed the ball across the goalmouth with the right side of the Azkals defense seemingly ball watching.

Solossa then hit his free-kick from 20-yards out into the wall. On the other end, James Younghusband crossed in for Mark Hartmann, who headed wide, for the Philippines’ first and only shot of a relatively quiet first half.


Second half

During the break OJ Porteria replaced Chieffy Caligdong, who gave the captain’s armband to Rob Gier, while Marwin Angeles came on for Mark Hartmann. Immediately Porteria tried a long-range effort, showing his attacking intentions, but it went straight at the keeper.

Porteria brought a spark to the side as Phil Younghusband held up play waiting for the teenager to arrive. Playing the ball ahead, Porteria struck across goal in a chance begging to be tucked away. But with no other support, the ball just rolled out in the 54th minute.

Nwokolo came close to making it two in the 58th minute as he found the ball out wide and worked himself into a shooting opportunity. One-on-one against Rob Gier, he couldn’t find enough space to get a clean shot at goal and just hit wide.

In the 63rd minute, Amani Aguinaldo, a natural center back hailing from Davao, came in for his first senior international cap, replacing James Younghusband. Shortly afterwards though, Aguinaldo’s first significant touch was to unfortunately flick on a corner from the left, into the path of Muhammad Roby, who headed confidently in from six yards out. The 66th minute goal gave Indonesia a 2-0 lead and a commanding position, in front of a capacity crowd, to see out another victory over the Philippines.

The Indonesian Fans were in fine form all throughout, making it a daunting experience for the Azkals, who were often booed at every touch of the ball. With what looked like a 35,000-strong throng for the Manahan Stadium, they sung throughout the 90-minutes with well-worked chants and numbers to echo the noise.

However, with a solid back four, the Philippines began to play football. Misagh Bahadoran came on for Angel Guirado as the Philippines pressed forward and Marwin Angeles drilled a left-footed shot just wide of the goal from within a packed penalty box in the 78th minute. OJ Porteria was fed wide after some decent passing, but he took too many touches and hit wide as well.

Still the opportunities began to come and if the Philippines were to go down, they would do so fighting. On a counter-attack, after several tackles from the Azkals’ backline, the ball was played up to Phil Younghusband who drove against the last Indonesian defender, but he dragged the shot wide as it bobbled up at the last moment.

Jerry Barbaso then replaced Carli De Murga in a like for like swap, as the Philippines continued to look the more dangerous team. Patrich Wanggai, a second-half substitute for Indonesia, could have killed off the game next, but he too dragged his shot wide in the 86th minute after he worked himself the chance.

The Philippines continued to get more of the ball in the last stage of the game and even finished equal in shots at the end with seven apiece. Winding down the clock with their last two substitutions though, Indonesia almost had their third when Wanggai took a long-range try, but Ed Sacapano got down low to tip the ball onto the post and it rolled across the goalmouth and away. Soon after, the final whistle went to confirm the 2-0 win for Indonesia and another wait for the Philippines to get their first victory over their Southeast Asian rival.

The best defense is an actual defense

Much of the response from fans focused on the line-up of coach Weiss. Given the tools at his disposal, they were bemused to see James Younghusband at right back, despite two natural right backs in the team. And with three natural center backs available, just one started with Rob Gier, partnered by the usual right back, De Murga.

And immediately they were pressured there, as Indonesia attacked the left side frequently to pressure the older Younghusband brother. That pressure showed even before lax marking allowed Nwokolo to tap in at the back post in the first half.

Roby’s second-half header confirmed the 2-0 win for Indonesia, just after Amani Aguinaldo had come on and a natural defense was established and the Philippines started to get into the game. However, by that time it was over. Weiss’ gamble to play experience out of position rather than youth in position backfired. The youth didn’t get the experience needed for the SEA Games, and the senior Philippine team didn’t get a win against Indonesia.  - AMD, GMA News