NEWLY-REHIRED German coach Michael Weiss expects a tough and physical game against an upset-conscious Chinese-Taipei squad today as the Azkals gun for their second straight win at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
“My expectation is that it is going to be a tougher match than the first one given that Chinese-Taipei showcased itself in a very good manner in a 2-2 draw against powerhouse Thailand last Friday,” Weiss said in the pre-match online conference yesterday.
Weiss’ wards go into the 7 p.m. game fresh from a 1-0 win over Nepal last week, thanks to a scrambling, off-balanced marker by forward Jarvey Gayoso early in the second half that snapped the Azkals’ four-game losing streak.
“They (the Taiwanese) are very compact, quick in transition and physically strong. They may not be yet on a technical level as we are but winning is what it is all about,” said Weiss, who vowed not be complacent of their rivals ranked 20 spots lower than them at 156 in the FIFA world ratings.
“The Taiwanese have a very experienced coach in Gary White and while we are preparing against nations that are ‘below’ us, we will always be on the lookout. We can never be sure and take things for granted,” Weiss stressed.
White, who like Weiss is on a comeback stint with the Taiwanese that he last handled in 2018, said in the same briefing that “we respect the Azkals, who are (a) strong team but this is a good test for my squad that has many young players as we prepare for the Asian Cup qualifiers.”
Entering the game with a three-day respite, Weiss said he looks forward to a much-improved performance from his players, adding: “I think we can play better in a more offensive way and pressing style.
“Generally, we want to push a little bit more forward, we want to create more chances and we want to be more of the attacking side particularly at home and on an artificial turf. And that is what it will be all about.”
Keeping his cards close to his chest, Weiss said he would defer announcing any personnel changes for the game until after he had sized up the conditions of his players in practice yesterday.
“I am not yet sure, some players were not fit yesterday, obviously some were tired and the artificial pitch is spotty here and there,” he pointed out. “What I can promise is that we will have a confident and joyous team which will try to get on the forefront and put the gas pedal on the metal.”
Midfielder Kevin Ingreso, playing for Weiss for the first time, said that like some of the other players “we are still in the process in getting to know coach Weiss and him us. But we will prepare well for tomorrow and, of course, go for the win.”
Having enjoyed playing to packed hometown crowds during his earlier stint as the national squad’s coach, Weiss encouraged more Filipino sports fans to go out to the stadium “and show the love and support for our Azkals.
“When I look back on the videos of 2011 when they played for the Asia Cup, I saw how the stadiums were full. What players hate is to play in front of marginal spectators, they need to feel supported, we want to be in this together. So, we hope tomorrow many, many people will come,” he said.
