Kuwait real test for the Philippine Azkals

MANILA—The “Road to Rio” definitely gets tougher from here.

Kuwait, a football powerhouse in the Middle East and perennial contender in the Asian Cup, awaits the Philippine Azkals in the next round of qualifying for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

The Azkals produced a glittering display of attacking football in a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Sri Lanka and a 5-1 aggregate win at the packed Rizal Stadium in Manila to reach the second round for the first time in history.

“The dream is always there (to reach the World Cup) and it’s a long way to go, but it’s a good thing we’re taking steps in the right direction,” said team manager Dan Palami.

Kuwait, however, has the pedigree to spoil the Azkals’ run of milestones that started with the squad’s semifinal appearance in the Suzuki Cup last year and continued with the qualification to next year’s AFC Challenge Cup.

Ranked No. 102 in the Fifa rankings, Kuwait made the World Cup in 1982— its only appearance in the sport’s showpiece event. Kuwait achieved its highest ranking in December 1998 at No. 24.

“Kuwait is the real test for this team. It will let us know where we really are in football,” said Azkals striker Ian Araneta, who came in as a second-half substitute and conjured three scoring chances but failed to convert.

The Azkals will be boosted by the return of Jerry Lucena and Ray Jonsson for the clash with Kuwait. The Kuwaitis host the opening leg on July 23 before the tie returns to Manila on July 28.

“We’re looking forward to Kuwait,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss after the win against Sri Lanka. “We are upbeat and we are used to dealing with problems.”

Weiss said the Azkals cannot just impose their will on the Kuwaitis the way they did against the Sri Lankans, who were kept on their heels by the Filipinos’ incisive play.

The Azkals will hold training camp in Bahrain and will also play a couple of friendly matches there to acclimatize to the conditions in the Gulf region.

The Azkals, though, will not have the luxury of a full strength side during training as Europe-based players like Schrock and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge are expected to be back with their clubs, which are preparing for the season.

“Kuwait is a very, very strong opponent and we really have to step up,” Weiss said.

Sri Lanka’s Korean coach Jang Jung said the Azkals have their work cut out against the Kuwaitis, the Asian champions in 1980.

Sri Lanka played in the second round of the 2010 World Cup qualifying against Qatar and lost 0-6 on aggregate, and Jung said the Qataris may just be at a similar level as the Kuwaitis.

“Those countries in the Gulf region are at equal level, but that level is very high,” Jung said.