THE Philippines faces a virtual must-win situation against lightly regarded Brunei today as Group A action resumes in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Fresh from a stinging 2-3 setback from Cambodia in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh last Tuesday, the Azkals try to scramble back into contention when they face the Brunei booters at 6:30 p.m. at the heritage-rich arena in front of their hometown fans.
The “12thh man” — the hometown crowd — may play a pivotal role for the charges of new Spanish coach Joseph Ferre, who need to score a win and gain three valuable points to avoid early elimination in Southeast Asia’s premier men’s football tournament.
The visitors are just as keen on preventing an early exit, especially after absorbing a 0-5 beating at the hands of defending champion Thailand in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia also three days ago.
On paper, the Azkals should be heavily favored to prevail, considering they are ranked No. 133 in the FIFA men’s world ratings, 67 spots higher than their rivals, who are ranked No. 190.
Brunei last beat the Philippines 1-0 in the same group stage of the competition in 1996 while both sides battled to a 1-all draw the last time they met in the 2008 edition of the event.
But as their previous match showed, the Nationals can’t be complacent and leave anything to chance.
A win should serve as a huge morale boost when they play the Thai War Elephants on Dec. 26 at the Thammasat Stadium in the town of Pathum Thani on the outskirts north of the Thai capital of Bangkok.
The Azkals wind up group play at home on Jan. 2 against Indonesia back at the Rizal Stadium.
Ferre may need to do some tinkering with his roster to gain the early initiative in the crucial contest, including changing goalkeeper Kevin Mendoza, who yielded three goals to the Cambodians.
His other options are either United City Football Club goalie Anthony Pintus or Julius Schwartz of the Azkals Development Team.
UCFC striker Mark Hartmann might also want to step up to add more teeth to the Azkals’ offense.
Although he may have lost a step, skipper Stephan Schrock, 36, remains a stabilizing presence in midfield while former UAAP varsity standout Jarvey Gayoso, who was benched in the first game, could be sprung to add variety to the local attack.
