PH Azkals face tall odds against N. Korea Thursday

Azkals train at the Kim Il-Sung Stadium in Pyongyang where they fill face the home team on Friday. Photo by Cedelf Tupas

PYONGYANG—It’s a rare opportunity to even be in this reclusive country and the Philippine Azkals want to make it count.

With their backs against the wall, the Azkals aim to battle through the tough odds when they face unbeaten North Korea in a World Cup Qualifying clash Thursday at Kim Il-sung Stadium in this laid-back capital city.

Running third in Group H with six points, the Azkals are targeting an upset that will also keep them in the hunt for a spot in the third round.

The duel with North Korea is the first of a challenging two-game stretch that will also see the Azkals travel to the Middle East to face Bahrain on Tuesday.

But as it stands, the Azkals will already have their hands full against a North Korean side armed with pace and power—and backed by a 50,000-strong crowd.

The North Koreans looked invincible at home, claiming the scalp of top seed Uzbekistan, 4-2. The Uzbeks whipped the Azkals, 5-1, in Bulacan last month.

“I want you to imagine what the feeling would be if we’re able to silence the crowd here and get a result in this stadium,” Azkals coach Thomas Dooley told his players just before they began their final training session.

“We have to remember that we always have a chance, no matter how difficult it is for us, if we put our minds [to the match] and give everything we have.”

Looking travel-weary when they arrived in this city last Monday, the Azkals have grown in confidence after a couple of training sessions. Expected to play up front, Stephan Schrock looked sharp in training and so was winger Patrick Reichelt, who is tipped to start.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who endured a tough outing in the 1-5 loss to the Uzbeks last month, looked light on his feet and quick with his hands as he went through the paces with goalkeeping coach Pascal Zuberbuhler.

It will be the second meeting between the two sides in three years with the last encounter ending in a 2-nil win for the North Koreans in an AFC Challenge Cup game in Nepal.

Thursday’s match carries extra significance for the hosts as the country celebrates the 70th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party on Saturday. Locals are preparing for the celebration, with the Azkals bus passing through several parade rehearsals.

“The Philippines is a strong team but we also want to contribute to the celebration,” said defender Han Song-yeuk.

Defender Jerry Lucena said the added pressure on the North Koreans could work to the Azkals’ advantage.

“They could underestimate us since we’re coming off a loss and they could get too eager because they’re pressured to win,” he said. “Maybe we can capitalize on that.”
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