Azkals’ head coach Thomas Dooley. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Philippines coach Thomas Dooley’s two-year deal with the Azkals ends this month, and the result of the final AFC Cup Qualifying match against Tajikistan on March 27 at Rizal Memorial Stadium won’t necessarily be the basis whether or not he’ll be given a fresh contract.
Dooley, the former United States international and World Cup veteran, has been at the helm of the Azkals since early 2014—a stint that has seen him steer the national team to some famous wins against North Korea, Bahrain and Indonesia.
But with the Azkals needing a draw against the Tajiks, who can advance and eliminate the Azkals with a win, Dooley is under scrutiny as the national team plays its last game in the qualifying round.
Azkals manager Dan Palami said it would be unfair to decide on Dooley’s future on the match against Tajikistan alone.
“It will be unfair to review his contract just based on that game,” said Palami. “He has achieved a lot in the past four years, but we will also look at other factors including the sentiments of the players.”
Dooley got mixed results in the prestigious Suzuki Cup, reaching the semifinals in 2014, but bombing out of the group stage at home two years later, managing just a couple of draws against lower-ranked opposition.
While he led the Azkals to their highest ever ranking at 115, the past two years has seen Dooley post four wins, six draws and four losses.
Along the way, Dooley has feuded with star midfielder Stephan Schrock, who was not called up despite his fine form for Bacolod-based club Ceres-Negros in the AFC Cup.
“It’s always based on what is best for the team,” Dooley told Gulf News, explaining his decision to leave out Schrock despite clamor for the midfielder to be inserted in the lineup.
“We’ve played incredible without him and broken multiple records. And we are successful because we’re a team.”
Schrock wants to play for the country again but has accepted Dooley’s decision, saying what’s important is the country qualifies for the Asian Cup.
“I just wish them well,” said Schrock, who had criticized Dooley’s treatment of senior players in the past.
Schrock has since apologized for past statements against Dooley, but the rift resurfaced recently as clamor for his return snowballed when the Azkals were held to back-to-back draws by Yemen and another stalemate by Nepal.
Palami is hopeful the team will keep its focus on the task at hand: “This is the only game they should think about. We need to create that mindset that this is the most important game in our history.”