Azkals eye big performance versus Guam

BACOLOD CITY—With the Philippine Azkals coming off back-to-back draws against top Southeast Asian sides, striker Phil Younghusband believes a comprehensive victory against lightweight Guam tomorrow will be enough to underscore the progress of their team.

The country’s leading international scorer yesterday said only a scoreline of at least 3-0 will be satisfying for the Azkals, who will be a facing a team more than 50 places lower than the Philippines in the Fifa rankings at the Panaad Stadium here.

“The rankings can be deceiving. It’s difficult because we don’t know which Guam team will show up, or whether or not they will play defensive just like Mongolia,” said Younghusband, referring to the Azkals’ last match here last year when they beat Mongolia, 2-0.

Azkals coach Michael Weiss said there should be no letup from his side, which held Malaysia to a scoreless draw last June 2 and Indonesia to a 2-2 standoff last June 5.

Younghusband, left out of the starting eleven against Indonesia, and older brother, James, as well as goalkeeper Neil Etheridge are expected to line up against the Guamanians.