By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The Philippine Azkals launched their title bid in the Asia 7s Championship in grand fashion after winning their first two games at the EV Arena in Elmina, Shah Alam here on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Displaying the same kind of tenacity that has become synonymous to the Philippine men’s football team that carried the moniker in the 2000s, the Filipino booters first dispatched Hong Kong, 6-1, before edging a tough host crew Malaysia, 4-3, on rainy and wet conditions.
The strong start obviously elated veteran Stephan Schrock, the recently retired national football team skipper who is now spearheading this crew.
“Obviously we’ve been successful. We won both games. Second one was a tough one, but at least now we know that the level we are competing at is a good one and a high standard one, so we are looking forward to the coming days,” said the 38-year-old midfielder.
The Azkals are bunched in Group B and are competing against India at press time. The other bracket is composed of Japan, Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam.
Schrock said the opening-day matches served as a testing and scouting ground for the team.
“Everyone had a little problem getting off the start,” Schrock admitted. “It’s a new environment, a new competition. You don’t know the other team unlike in the (football) 11-aside where you get the pre-match report of the team and you know the players. Here, all the teams are pretty much new.”
For Schrock, Japan is the strongest contender in the group especially after annihilating Singapore, 10-1.
“But overall, it’s a pretty strong group so everybody can beat anyone,” he said.
Indeed, the opening day was a surprise with Brunei squeaking past Vietnam, 3-2.
Schrock is optimistic for the team’s performance in the coming days.
“(This team) is a good solid one. It’s a good mix of older players like myself and Misagh (Bahadoran), and more experienced, and the group that is pushing into the younger boys. It’s a good foundation, and we’re a pretty strong contender for this tournament,” he said.
After the group stage on Friday, Oct. 11, all eight teams will be ranked for the crossover quarterfinals later in the day, with the semifinals and the finals slated Saturday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13.
The 7-a-side is a football variation played among seven players in each team on a small pitch.
