Thailand-based Azkals in sharp form

Philippine men’s team coach Scott Cooper hopes his players’ fine form in the Thai Premier League is carried over to the Azkals in the next couple of weeks when the squad guns for a strong start in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers in Bacolod and in Guam.

Filipino internationals Daisuke Sato and Iain Ramsay were both on target for their respective clubs, while goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard kept a clean sheet against a formidable side as the Thai-based Azkals once again proved they were up to the challenge.

The Azkals are expected to fly to Bacolod on Aug. 30 to kickstart their preparations for the showdown with Syria at Panaad Stadium on Sept. 5. The next match will be on Sept. 10 against Guam.

Returning from injury, Sato scored for Thai giants Muangthong United in the 4-1 win over Suphanburi at Chang Arena last Saturday.

Their performances abroad are being closely-monitored by the Philippine coaching staff.

But while Sato was jubilating, his fellow national team players Patrick Deyto and Alvaro Silva were left reeling as Suphanburi dropped to last place in T1 and looked in danger of getting relegated to the second division with just five matches remaining.

Sukhothai may be out of the running of the title race, but Ramsay’s goal—an expertly controlled first-time volley —could prove crucial in the title race as it pegged back leader Buriram in a 1-1 stalemate. It marked the second straight match that Ramsay scored for Sukhothai, which could be enough to earn Cooper’s nod in the final 23-man squad for the Syria game.

Expected to fill in for the injured Neil Etheridge against Syria, Falkesgaard came up with a stellar performance in Bangkok United’s 2-0 win over Port FC, which had Martin Steuble starting at left-back.