MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals vow to do better when they face the Sri Lankan Brave Reds on Sunday in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Nationals will capitalize on their home advantage after being held by the Sri Lankans to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Colombo.
"I'm looking forward to the second game," said Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. "We'd like to win. It'll be great for the fans to see us win in Manila."
Azkals player James Younghusband admitted they could have pulled off a better game against the Sri Lankans last Wednesday.
He, however, assured that they will prove themselves to their Filipino fans on Sunday.
"Good thing is we got a game this Sunday to prove it in front of our home crowd. I'm looking forward to that," said Younghusband.
Aggregate score
Despite being held to a 1-1 draw, the Azkals enjoy a 2-1 aggregate score because of Nate Burkey's away goal.
The Nationals will have to win or hold the Sri Lankans to a 0-0 draw to advance to the next round against Kuwait.
Former national team member and now Kaya Cignal coach Rudy del Rosario earlier explained that the Azkals cannot afford to allow their opponents to score more goals in their home game.
"If it's a 1-1 draw, then it's extra time. But if it's [Sri Lanka scores] a 2-2 draw, it's Sri Lanka that goes through the next round because they'll have an aggregate of 4 points," he said.
Sad Phil
Filipino-British striker Phil Younghusband, who had 3 goal attempts against Sri Lanka, might not be able to suit up for Sunday's game because of his hamstring injury.
"'Pag mabilis [tumakbo] masakit... I pray that I get better, malungkot ako," he said.
Darren Hartmann, a former member of the Philippine Azkals, said the home crowd's support for the Nationals will be very important to the Nationals.
"They (Sri Lankans) know if they score a goal, they will be in a very, very strong position. It sets up to a very interesting 2nd leg so I hope everyone turns out to support the national team," he said.
'Kaholeros' promise all out support
Richard "Ebong" Joson of the Azkals' fan group "Kaholeros" (Barkers) assured that they will make their presence felt at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Sunday.
Joson said the Sri Lankans will find it difficult to play in front the Azkals' home crowd.
"The biggest difference now when they come over here is that the Kaholeros and the rest of the nation will be behind the Azkals," he said in an interview on ANC's Hardball.
The Kaholeros is just one of the fan groups supporting the Philippine national team.
"It (Kaholeros) started in a restaurant where we were watching the away games with a bunch of really great fans, football fans," explained Joson.
"Mr. Bonnie Ladrino [of the Philippine Football Federation] invited me to create a core group and that's why we're here. We created a fan base." -- With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News.com
The Nationals will capitalize on their home advantage after being held by the Sri Lankans to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Colombo.
"I'm looking forward to the second game," said Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. "We'd like to win. It'll be great for the fans to see us win in Manila."
Azkals player James Younghusband admitted they could have pulled off a better game against the Sri Lankans last Wednesday.
He, however, assured that they will prove themselves to their Filipino fans on Sunday.
"Good thing is we got a game this Sunday to prove it in front of our home crowd. I'm looking forward to that," said Younghusband.
Aggregate score
Despite being held to a 1-1 draw, the Azkals enjoy a 2-1 aggregate score because of Nate Burkey's away goal.
The Nationals will have to win or hold the Sri Lankans to a 0-0 draw to advance to the next round against Kuwait.
Former national team member and now Kaya Cignal coach Rudy del Rosario earlier explained that the Azkals cannot afford to allow their opponents to score more goals in their home game.
"If it's a 1-1 draw, then it's extra time. But if it's [Sri Lanka scores] a 2-2 draw, it's Sri Lanka that goes through the next round because they'll have an aggregate of 4 points," he said.
Sad Phil
Filipino-British striker Phil Younghusband, who had 3 goal attempts against Sri Lanka, might not be able to suit up for Sunday's game because of his hamstring injury.
"'Pag mabilis [tumakbo] masakit... I pray that I get better, malungkot ako," he said.
Darren Hartmann, a former member of the Philippine Azkals, said the home crowd's support for the Nationals will be very important to the Nationals.
"They (Sri Lankans) know if they score a goal, they will be in a very, very strong position. It sets up to a very interesting 2nd leg so I hope everyone turns out to support the national team," he said.
'Kaholeros' promise all out support
Richard "Ebong" Joson of the Azkals' fan group "Kaholeros" (Barkers) assured that they will make their presence felt at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Sunday.
Joson said the Sri Lankans will find it difficult to play in front the Azkals' home crowd.
"The biggest difference now when they come over here is that the Kaholeros and the rest of the nation will be behind the Azkals," he said in an interview on ANC's Hardball.
The Kaholeros is just one of the fan groups supporting the Philippine national team.
"It (Kaholeros) started in a restaurant where we were watching the away games with a bunch of really great fans, football fans," explained Joson.
"Mr. Bonnie Ladrino [of the Philippine Football Federation] invited me to create a core group and that's why we're here. We created a fan base." -- With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News.com
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