Azkals beat Nepal in friendly to give coach Michael Weiss a winning return

Philippine Azkals beat Nepal in an international friendly at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. –AZKALS PHOTO

Jarvey Gayoso scored in the second half while Patrick Deyto made crucial saves as the Philippine Azkals gifted Michael Weiss a winning start in his coaching return by edging out Nepal, 1-0, in a friendly match held Thursday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Gayoso bundled the winner in the 49th minute before Deyto preserved the clean sheet in the first of two matches for the Azkals in this month’s international window.

A crowd of less than 3,300, all seated at the grandstand, came to witness the Azkals’ first match under Weiss, who previously handled the national squad from 2011 to 2013.

“I’m very happy to come back to the Philippines and to get a win. It’s still a result, but I think in our next game we will be better,” Weiss said after pointing out some room for improvement.
The Azkals return to action on Monday when they host Chinese-Taipei at the same venue.

Gayoso was actually a substitute after the Azkals pulled out Patrick Reichelt, who appeared to have sustained a cut on his forehead.

He produced the winner off a corner kick when a scramble between him and several Nepali players including goalie Kiran Limbu resulted in the goal.

Deyto was hailed Man of the Match in his role as custodian in lieu of veteran Neil Etheridge, who was not included in Weiss’ active squad and served instead as a color commentator on television.

Weiss had OJ Porteria and Kenshiro Daniels up front, with Sandro Reyes, Mike Ott, Kevin Ingreso, Oskari Kekkonen, Jesse Curran, Daisuke Sato and Carlie de Murga also part of the starting 11.

Veteran Stephan Schrock, who had retired from international football following the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup in January, was inserted as one of the subs in the 71st.