Five things we learned from Azkals' 7-goal win over Timor-Leste

After a narrow opening day defeat to Singapore, the Philippine national men's football team bounced back in a big way with a 7-0 thrashing of bottom placed Timor Leste on Matchday 3 of the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup.

It was literally men against boys as the Azkals took complete control from the onset, with seven different players on the scoresheet on the night they desperately needed an emphatic victory to steer their campaign back on track.

Man of the Match and goal scorer Kevin Ingreso marshalled the midfield while Jesper Nyholm made his long-awaited debut, and topped off his performance with a debut goal for the Azkals, who look to build on this result in preparation for the all-important match against Thailand next week.

Here are five things we learned from this resounding Azkals victory.

1. Azkals talked the talk and walked the walk.

Before the game against Timor Leste, Azkals coach Stewart Hall promised ‘a more offensive approach’, vowing to go into the Timor Leste game positively and with an extra striker.

Coach Hall set out three objectives before the match:

To win the game, to score goals, and to get in front early to give playing opportunities to other players.

And suffice to say, the team met the objectives with resounding success.

Critics will point out that this thrashing comes against a Timor Leste team with an average age of 20 years old, and one that has never won a Suzuki Cup match in their history, but you can only beat the team in front of you.

And the Azkals have done so with plenty to spare.

2. Guirado proves his importance to the squad, again.

The Azkals gave Angel Guirado a start in the number nine role, and the big man from Malaga turned back the years with a vintage performance leading the line, scoring the Azkals’ third goal in the 35th minute.

But, his overall contribution to the attack of the team and the menace he causes when he is inside the box is more important, as he gives the team another offensive dynamic.

Guirado provides a target in the box for the wingers to whip crosses into, as was repeatedly done in the game.

Every time Stephan Schrock had the ball on the left wing, he was looking for the Azkals’ number 8.

With Guirado leading the line, he is able to draw defenders to him and thus space is freed up for the likes of Bienve Maranon to latch on to those second balls.

The goals of Amin Nazari (31st) and Bienve Maranon (45th) illustrate this point.

“The plan was to play off the chaos he causes and find goals”, says Coach Hall. “You get crosses in the box, and he’s a handful. He’s a big asset we have to play the right sort of game to get the best of him.”

3. Schrock and Reichelt find joy in the wings.

Another effect of Angel Guirado playing up front is that it allows Azkals talisman Stephan Schrock to play on the left wing, where he can do damage.

And in only 45 minutes of action, the Azkals captain ran the hapless Timor Leste right back ragged, creating chance after chance.

While Schrock did not get himself on the score sheet, he provided the balls that led to the Azkals goals.

His counterpart on opposite end, Patrick Reichelt, similarly had an enjoyable time on the right wing, finding joy with his delivery and capping off a superb performance with a goal in the 40th minute.

4. Nyholm makes his long-awaited debut; Steuble shines.

In the end, it was worth the wait.

Fil-Swedish defender Jesper Nyholm finally made his long-awaited debut for the Philippines, as he slotted in the center of the Azkals’ defense with Amani Aguinaldo.

He bucked a mistake in the 9th minute and settled into the game thereafter, capping off his night with a debut goal off of a corner in the 45th minute.

Arriving late for the Azkals in the tournament, Azkals’ coach Stewart Hall was keen for him to get some game time on the pitch, ahead of the clash against Thailand.

Meanwhile, Martin Steuble found much joy as his usual solid performance at the back was capped off with a superb long range opening strike in the 21st minute.

The Azkals veteran will have tougher tests ahead, but they deserve their rest tonight.

5. Challenge of Thailand next.

After the opening day defeat against Singapore, Azkals’ Coach Hall said: “Our objectives are clear, we need to win 3 games and can't rely on results of other teams.”

Well, one down. Two to go, starting with the massive game against Thailand.

With their J. League-based stars Theerathon Bumnathan and Chanathip Songkrasin joining a star-studded team, Thailand enters the tournament as the favorites to emerge from Group A.

With two wins from their first two matches, the Thais certainly enter matchday four against the Philippines as the favorites.

But with the Azkals fresh off a morale boosting victory and with the likes of Iain Ramsay coming in to provide support off the bench, don’t count out the Azkals’ chances just yet.

Head coach Scott Cooper’s intimate knowledge on Thai football would also come in handy against them.

One thing is for sure, there will be no 7-0 repeats.

Thailand will be a very, very different proposition, and the Azkals should come ready for war against the War Elephants if they are to keep their Suzuki Cup dreams alive.

—JMB, GMA News