Winning start to Azkals' new Weiss era crucial to build momentum

The second coming of Hans Michael Weiss as the Philippine national men's football head coach started on a winning note, with the Azkals clinching a 1-0 win over Nepal in a humid night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

A goal by Kaya FC Iloilo’s Jarvey Gayoso in the 49th minute was the difference between the two teams, and while the nature of the goal could be considered fortuitous, the overall result was not, as the Azkals dominated ball possession for most of the game.

Here are five things we learned from the Azkals first victory this 2023.

1.  A win is a win

After suffering from four consecutive losses across all competitions, this victory for the Azkals is of the paramount importance as they strive to get things together in time for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers later in the year.

And after going through a run of four different head coaches in a span of 12 months, the return of Coach Michael Weiss had a sense of normalcy – even an air of stability – around it.

That is why the victory, albeit against what could be considered a ‘lowly’ Nepal squad is an important restart for the Azkals, who have fallen behind their female counterparts in terms of public awareness in recent times.

Now, under a new but old coach, there seems to be new hope and crucially, a newfound excitement for the Azkals again.

2.  A new dawn for Hans Michael Weiss

There were mixed reactions to the return of Coach Weiss, but the general consensus was, his familiar face and style was a welcome sight after months of constant change at the helm.

In his first game back, Weiss will be pleased with the warm welcome he received from the crowd, and might be reasonably satisfied with getting the victory, but he will be the first one to note that there are many problems to solve.

Weaknesses are there to be seen – quick and intelligent balls from Nepal on the counter periodically beat our admittedly makeshift defence, and perhaps passes could come just that bit quicker to beat a deep lying team – but overall, he will be happy to get the first win under his belt.

For Weiss, he says that he was ‘touched when he heard the national anthem’, as it reminded him of one of the ‘best times of his life’, when he was Azkals coach at the peak of football’s popularity in the country.

Here’s hoping he can lead the way for the Azkals to reclaim those glory years.

3. Patrick Deyto stakes his claim

The Stallion FC goalkeeper started for the Azkals after four years, and he earned his 17th cap with aplomb, keeping Nepal at bay with timely saves and earning himself Man of the Match honors.

Previously playing in Thailand’s League 1 week in and week out has surely honed Deyto’s shot stopping abilities, which earned him effusive praise from Coach Weiss.

“(I would like to) thank Deyto for his great performance,” said Weiss. “He saved us in the game. It was a very good performance.”

No doubt inspired by playing at home in front of fans, friends and family, Deyto admitted the need for a win.

“We needed the result to create momentum for the Azkals,” he said. “It’s a good first step, and we will be better against Chinese Taipei.”

4. Sandro Reyes, the rising star of Philippine football

Expectations were high when the then 9-year-old Sandro Reyes was given a full scholarship by Spain’s FC Barcelona Escola in 2012.

Now, eleven years later, Sandro Reyes looks to fulfill his legacy as the next face of Philippine football and potentially its next star.

His skill on the ball is exquisite and his move to SpVgg Greuther Furth II in Germany will only serve him in good stead.

Under the watchful eyes and guidance of veterans in the National team, he can only improve and his development is good news to the future of the Azkals.

5. Stephan Schrock comes out of retirement to help

There were more than a few murmurs of excitement when Stephan Schrock emerged for the pre-game warmups dressed in the full flowery Azkals kit.
Surely, the retired Schroecky isn’t making a comeback?

But with injuries and players absences hitting the Azkals, the former captain came on in the 72nd minute to give the Azkals a boost on the left wing.
There will be two schools of thought on his appearance.

On the one hand, he’s a sentimental favorite, one who has brought happy times to the team and whose presence is welcome due to the player absences.

On the other hand, his retirement was supposed to pave the way for newer and younger options to take up the responsibilities of donning the national team jersey.

That he is on the field in his trademark number 17 should not be taken against the Azkals legend, rather it is a reality check on those who should have been there in his stead.

The fans who bucked the late afternoon rain on a payday Thursday certainly didn’t mind the presence of Schrock and the Azkals, and it is hoped that the more will be present when the Philippines take on Chinese Taipei on Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News