Azkals fall to Kuwait 2-1

MANILA, Philippines – With a significantly more complete squad compared to their last meeting more than a year ago, the Philippines was again humbled by 112th-ranked Kuwait 2-1 in Kuwait City Tuesday night, October 16, Wednesday morning in Manila.

Coming from a 0-0 stalemate against Bahrain, the Philippines were primed to get the better of their World Cup Qualifier conquerors after they were defeated 5-1 on aggregate last year.

Azkals head coach Michael Weiss had one change in his starting squad from the Bahrain match, with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge returning to the side after suiting up for Bristol Rovers during the weekend.

The return of Etheridge became a boost for the squad as Kuwait pressed early on for the go ahead goal with their quick pace, but the Philippine custodian was all around his post denying the Kuwaitis in the 6th and 7th minute respectively, and again in the 22nd minute.

Another chance for Kuwait to take the lead came begging on the on the 27th minute when defender Juan Luis Guirado conceded a penalty after taking down an advancing Kuwait player inside the penalty area.

Fortunately, Etheridge guessed Bader Al-Mutwa’s spot kick, going left for the save and denying the striker the rebound following the penalty.

Kuwait advantage

Al-Mutwa however would get his goal in the 35th to put Kuwait upfront, after he came rushing to the penalty area with only Etheridge to beat, putting the ball past the goalkeeper for the goal.

Changes for the Philippines came following the goal as defender Carli de Murga and striker Phil Younghusband entered the fray replacing Ray Jonsson and Marwin Angeles.

Another change for coach Michael Weiss’ squad came before the start of the second half as Angel Guirado replaced skipper Emelio Caligdong, but it was the returning Younghusband who gave the Philippines its first decent chance of the match in the 49th minute.

Receiving the ball from Patrick Reichelt in the right wing, Younghusband was only able to muster a right footed shot straight to the Kuwaiti goalkeeper.

That was the start of a Philippine fight back as chances also came from Reichelt in the 50th minute and Angel Guirado in the 57th minute, but the team’s best chance came via a penalty call in favor of the Philippines.

The referee awarded a penalty for the Philippines in the 59th minute after Dennis Cagara’s shot on goal was handled by a Kuwaiti defender inside the penalty area, which Younghusband slotted home with a neat finish to level things at 1-1 in the 60th minute.

The equalizer was short-lived however, as Kuwait was again given a penalty kick ten minutes later after a foul by Juan Luis Guirado inside the box, which this time Hamad Al-Enezi was able to covert the spot kick to make it 2-1 in favor of the Kuwaitis.

The Philippines still had a chance to snatch a late equalizer, but both the defensive pressure and the speed of the Kuwaiti players proved to be the difference between the two sides as the match finished 2-1 for Kuwait.

The Azkals continue with their preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup with another friendly against Singapore on November 15 in Cebu, before heading to Bangkok for the main competition. – Rappler.com