GERMAN coach Michael Weiss intends to bring more experience, rather than youth, plus unselfish players as the Philippine Azkals leave today for their 10-day training camp in Bahrain as part of their build-up for the second round of the joint World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers next month.
“Where in general I am very, very positive of bringing in young players, I am now looking more at bringing experience rather than youth to the Azkal. I have decided to go for experience for this camp,” said Weiss yesterday on the eve of their departure for the Bahraini capital of Manama.
The Nationals are scheduled to play two test matches during the camp, with the first scheduled this Sunday against a Kyrgyzstan side. The other will be against the Bahrain national team three days later.
He said infusing the roster with more experienced players is the rationale for bringing in defensive stalwart Simone Rota, 38, and midfielder Marwin Angeles, 32, who are now mainstays of Philippines Football League champion Kaya-Iloilo FC.
“I have asked anyone regarding Marwin, whom I built up during my first tenure as Azkals coach and played very well and wondered why he wasn’t selected anymore. I want to see him again and give him another chance,” Weiss said.
“There are those who may not be compared to other players on paper but perform better once you give them your trust and confidence or as long as they are appreciated,” Weiss explained.
“Rota may need a little more time for recovery considering his age. But his experience and personality are absolutely tops. There is no doubt about it. I was a little bit jealous because I was looking for a (good) central defender like him during my time,” he noted.
“Angeles and Rota are players who are willing to die for the team, which is what I am looking for.”
The German mentor said that striker Sebastian Rasmussen and defender Christian Rontini, who scored a goal each in the 2-1 come-from-behind win over Afghanistan recently, were unavailable due to club negotiations and injury, respectively.
Celebrated Fil-German striker Gerritt Holtmann is also out of commission because of an injury “and won’t be fit for our training camp.”
He said what he was looking for were players who “would love to play and die for the Philippines. They are the ones who are committed and fight their hearts out. These are the guys who are always available. Who fight for every inch on the pitch.”
This is why he was looking at those players who are currently playing in the region and the PFL rather than tapping those from European leagues “because they are more familiar with the scenario here.
“The team I have in mind should have a fighting heart and aggressiveness, which is what I shall also emphasize during the camp. Now, I have a clearer picture of the team I have in mind,” he said.
The Azkals kick off their campaign in Group F against Vietnam on Nov. 16 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
