‘Time for Azkals to finally foil Thais’

Thailand may have the championship pedigree, but Philippines coach Thomas Dooley sees the Azkals ending their long, winless drought against the Southeast Asian powerhouse when they clash in the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

In fact, the Azkals have already pulled off victories against teams they have not beaten in the past—Indonesia, Laos and the Maldives—just this year in tournament play.

That’s why Dooley is confident the Azkals, who are in the semifinals for the third straight Suzuki Cup, can protect their turf on Saturday when the first leg is played at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The return leg slated Dec. 10 will be at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

“It’s the biggest game of the year for us,” Dooley said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Shakey’s Malate yesterday. “Getting a result in the first leg is very, very important, especially when you play against a strong team like Thailand.”

History will not be on the side of the Philippines, which has not beaten the Thais since 1971. Thailand has won the last 14 duels between the two countries. Thailand has already won the regional tournament three times.

“It’s about time we write some history but it will be a very, very difficult task,” he said.

Dooley points out that the side has yet to prove itself when the stakes are at its highest.

“We have to learn winning the big games,” said Dooley, who steered the Azkals to a runner-up finish in the AFC Challenge Cup. “It’s a long process, but hopefully this is the time the team will finally deliver.”

Dooley is still awaiting word on the availability of goalkeeper Roland Muller, who is still tied up with his Swiss club. With Patrick Deyto unconvincing in the group stage, Dooley sees Muller, one of the heroes of the Challenge Cup run, as a reliable option.