Travel-weary Azkals take on Bahrain

PHIL Younghusband (left) vies for possession against North Korea’s Ri Chol Myong in last week’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Pyongyang that ended in a scoreless standoff. AP

MANAMA—The Philippine Azkals tackle one more assignment in what has been a punishing week of traveling, training and playing on enemy ground in the World Cup qualifiers.

But as their confidence grew after holding favored North Korea to a scoreless draw five days ago, the Azkals know they still have their work cut out for them when they clash with Bahrain on Tuesday at the National Stadium in Riffa here.

The point from Pyongyang was crucial, but picking up the full three points here should be mission accomplished for the Azkals, who have spent close to 60 hours on planes and in airports in this long, arduous trip that started on Oct. 4 and has had stops in Bangkok, Beijing, Pyongyang and Abu Dhabi.

Struggling and out of sorts, the higher-rated Bahrainis have underachieved in the competition. They were seeded second in the group but have managed three points halfway through the qualifying series.

Still, as one of the stronger sides in the Middle East, the hosts remain a tricky opponent, especially since they will be looking for payback after the Azkals pipped them, 2-1, at Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan in June.

With seven points, the Azkals could move to second spot with a victory, just behind North Korea, which is slated to play Yemen in Pyongyang today.

Uzbekistan, which has nine points, won’t be playing until Nov. 12 against North Korea. The top team in the group will advance along with the four best second placers from the eight brackets.

Misagh Bahadoran scored and assisted on Javier Patino’s goal in the win over Bahrain last June, but Patino did not make the trip to this bustling city due to a hamstring injury. Stephan Schrock is expected to start in Patino’s place.

“Bahrain will be another battle, a very important one for us,” said coach Thomas Dooley on Sunday night. “They have a chance to take third place. They won’t give up. They will come after us.”

“It won’t be easy, although (Bahrain) don’t have much to play for,” said Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. “Our job is to concentrate on ourselves and we’ve got enough ability to take three points.”

Bahrain absorbed a 4-nil shellacking at the hands of Uzbekistan last Thursday.

Dooley said he’s not looking much into the Bahrainis’ performance against the Uzbeks. Instead, he’s focusing on how his team recovers from its long travels as the Azkals attempt a strong finish to this trip.

“We have to put all the energy we have left into the game and hope it’s going to be enough against Bahrain,” he said.

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