Singapore’s football coach Radojko Avramovic. AFP PHOTO
CEBU CITY—As far as Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic is concerned, the Philippines is far from being the real deal in the AFF Suzuki Cup kicking off next week.
The 62-year-old Avramovic, a two-time winner of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious football tournament with Singapore, watched his Lions fall to the Azkals, 0-1, in a friendly at the Cebu City Sports Center here Thursday night.
Marwin Angeles scored for the Azkals, who frustrated the attack-minded Lions with their resolute defense and the superb play of goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano.
Azkals coach Michael Weiss said the win gives the team a huge morale boost before they leave for Thailand on Tuesday. It was the Azkals second straight win against the Lions in the last three months. In their last four meetings, the Azkals have won twice and lost once since they battled the Lions to a 1-1 draw in the first match of the 2010 Suzuki Cup.
Still, Avramovic believes the Filipinos have an uphill climb in what is deemed as the tougher between the two groups in the tournament.
The Philippines and Singapore are on separate groups in the eight-team tournament with the Azkals drawn with Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. The Lions, on the other hand, are in Group B with Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos.
“I think the Philippines must really improve if they want to compete against Thailand and Vietnam,” said Avramovic, who piloted Singapore to the Asean titles in 2005 and 2007. “They are two very serious teams. They have quality. It’s not going to be easy.”
Azkals defender Rob Gier acknowledged that the Azkals will have their hands full in their group, but expressed belief that they have an improved side than the one that reached the semifinals two years ago.
Gier was part of the Azkals backline that proved hard to beat two years ago. From that back four, it appears only Ray Jonsson will be back for the tournament with Aly Borromeo still sidelined by injury.
“There’s going to be no easy games, but if we get a good result against Thailand, then that will set the tone for our campaign,” said Gier, who is forming a solid partnership at the back with Juani Guirado as well as Jason Sabio. “We’re still a counter-attacking team, but what’s important is we have just gotten better at it because of more games.”