Azkals’ heart

AFF Suzuki Cup game between Philippines and Indonesia. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

BOCAUE, BULACAN—With their backs against the wall, the Philippine Azkals summoned the never-say-die spirit that keyed their resurgence in recent years to grab a lifeline in Group A of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Fighting back from a goal down twice, the Azkals picked up a point for the second straight game after skipper Phil Younghusband scored on a curling free kick to force a 2-2 standoff with Indonesia Tuesday night at Philippine Sports Stadium.

Misagh Bahadoran also struck an equalizer in the first half of an enthralling end-to-end encounter that kept the crowd of 2,069 at the edge of their seats.

Goalkeeper Roland Muller kept the Azkals in the game with a string of big saves in the second half when they were down, 1-2. It was a performance reminiscent of the Azkals of old when they played like a pack of desperate and fearless underdogs who had no quit in them.

“I told you the spirit is always good with the Azkals,” said midfielder Stephan Schrock, who assisted on Bahadoran’s 31st minute goal.

“It was obviously good character (from the team) to come back twice,” said Younghusband.

“We bounced back two times in this game, but unfortunately we couldn’t get the three points.”

Younghusband’s goal could mean more than just earning the draw for the Azkals.

That late equalizer may have galvanized the squad, which coach Thomas Dooley said, has been lacking in leadership defensively.

“The fighting spirit was there and we can take this to the next game as well,” Schrock said. “For the Filipinos and the Azkals, the heart will always carry us over those 90 minutes and I hope the fans will show up on Friday to give us big support.”

The Azkals face the hardest game of the group stage against defending champion Thailand, which has the luxury of resting its top players, having already clinched top spot in the group. A draw may not be enough against the Thais as it will allow the winner of the Singapore-Indonesia game to advance as the No. 2 team. But at least the Azkals’ fate is still in their hands.

As much as they would have loved to face the Thais with a spot in the semifinals already in the bag, the Azkals are nonetheless relishing the challenge of trying to overcome a team they haven’t beaten in the competition just to advance out of Group A.