Consistency key for PH Azkals, says Cooper

Philippines coach Scott Cooper hopes the Azkals maintain a level of consistency after coming up with one of their finest defensive performances in years in the goalless draw against powerhouse China last month in the World Cup Qualifiers.

“We can’t have that result [against China] as a flash in the pan,” Cooper stressed on the eve of the Azkals’ clash with Maldives on Thursday as the national team continues its quest for a place in the sport’s showpiece event in Qatar in 2022.

Kickoff is set at 4 p.m. (7 p.m. in Manila) at the national stadium in Male, where the Azkals hope to make a jubilant return to the venue where they suffered a heartbreaking loss to Palestine in the AFC Challenge Cup finals in 2014.

The Azkals, who will be led by captain Stephan Schrock and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, are third in the group with four points from three matches, with the hosts just a point behind. Both teams have one away win to show at the expense of Guam.

The last match between the two sides ended with the Azkals barely beating Maldives, 3-2, in extra time.