Five things we learned from the Azkals' loss in Suzuki Cup 2020 opener

The Philippines opened their 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup campaign with a gallant effort in a 2-1 defeat against a determined Singapore side at the Singapore National Stadium Wednesday night.

Bucking a lack of preparation, the Azkals battled Singapore to a 0-0 halftime score line, before Singapore captain Hariss Harun and winger Faris Ramli scored two goals in a dizzying three-minute spell to put the hosts on top.

Amin Nazari pulled a goal back for the Azkals to set up an exciting finish for the visitors, but the equalizer was not meant to be as the Azkals suffer their first defeat to Singapore in nine years.

Here are five things we learned from the game:

1. Azkals’ start slowly but finish strong

With numerous key players unavailable and with only six days of preparation, the Azkals took some time to get into the groove of things, with hosts Singapore the more threatening side in the early goings.

A physical first half ended in a 0-0 score line, and the Azkals would have been the happier of the two teams going into the dressing room as Singapore looked the more dangerous side in the first half.

However, the Azkals will have been buoyed by their performance in the last twenty minutes of the game, which saw the Azkals threaten and almost find an equalizer against a nervy Singapore team late in the game.

2. Bienve Marañon may need more time

All eyes were on newly naturalized striker and AFC Cup all-time leading goal scorer Bienve Marañon to provide the scoring threat for the Azkals, but while he did provide glimpses of his ability, he was relatively anonymous until being subbed off in the second half.

There is perhaps pressure on Bienve to provide the goals immediately, but as Coach Stewart Hall correctly pointed out, “This is Bienve’s first game in international football. He struggled a bit to find space tonight.”

Coach Hall however, gives his full backing to his Spanish born striker. “Strikers don’t score all the time; you have to go with him. He’ll learn from that, he’s an intelligent boy.”

3. Vintage Schrock leads, but cannot do it all by himself

The Azkals’ captain and talisman Stephan Schrock started the game in the center forward position together with Maranon, where he looked to influence the game in a more forward position.

As the game wore on, he could be seen playing deep to add another man to the central midfield pairing of Kevin Ingreso and Amin Nazari, before sprinting up front to lead the attack yet again.

But with the Azkals playing four matches in eleven days, it is important that he not overexert himself, that he trusts his teammates to give him the support he needs.

And while some may point out that Schrock held on the ball for a bit too long at times, it cannot be denied that he is the talisman and heartbeat of the Azkals attack, something the predominantly Singaporean crowd is well aware of when they lustily booed his every touch.

4. Mendoza, Guirado and Reichelt provide optimism

Malaysia Cup champion Kevin Ray Mendoza justified his selection between the sticks with fine saves throughout the game, but he will have been disappointed with the two goals conceded in that bewildering three-minute sequence in the second half.

Not a few eyebrows were raised when Angel Guirado was chosen in the squad for the Azkals, and even more eyebrows perhaps raised when he came on in the later stages of the game against Singapore.

But he soon proved his overall worth with his height and experience, as he tested Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny late in the game.

In the Azkals search for goals in the Suzuki Cup, Angel Guirado may yet play more than a bit part role for the team.

Meanwhile, Patrick Reichelt is proving yet again why he is considered one of the dangermen for the Azkals.

Quick and tricky down the wings, Reichelt caused trouble in more ways than one in his incursions in Azkals’ right flank and more will be needed from the former Suphanburi man if the Azkals are to go far in this tournament.

5. Azkals have everything to do in Group A

With all due respect to fellow group A contenders Myanmar and Timor-Leste, the two semi-finals slots should be a three-horse race between Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.

And with Thailand boasting of yet another golden generation in their ranks, it will be down to Singapore and the Philippines to contest the second semi-finals slot.

But with defeat at the hands of Singapore, the Azkals have no choice but to try to get victories in all of their remaining matches, starting with the match against Timor Leste on December 11.

It is extremely important to get a morale-boosting win against Timor Leste, just to get the Suzuki Cup campaign back on track.

The Azkals, however, have to be careful not to look too far ahead to the all too important clash against powerhouse Thailand on matchday four.

While defeat against Singapore damages our chances of qualification, it should in no way diminish our hope and support to the team, especially after just one match.

—JMB, GMA News