The second match of the Philippines’ 2019 Asian Cup qualifying campaign kicks off tomorrow in Dushanbe.
Despite a 4-1 win over Nepal in their first qualifier, back in March, the visitors surely have a deep dent in their confidence, due to the 8-1 thrashing the Azkals received in Guangzhou in last week’s friendly against China.
Tajikistan, on the other hand, opted not to play any friendlies, instead focusing on their ten-day internal training camp. “We didn’t play any friendly game in this period,” stated Coach Khakim Fuzaylov. “Our opponent played a friendly match, but we organised a game inside of our team.”
Fuzaylov wants to bounce back from slipping up in their first qualifier, a 2-1 loss to Yemen away in Doha. “This match is a six pointer. We will play at home and have no right to make a mistake in front of our own fans.”
“Unfortunately, we began our campaign with a defeat in the away game. We controlled that match, but could not gain a positive result, but we took important lessons from that match.”
Tajikistan will be without their captain, Istikol midfielder Nuriddin Davronov, while goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, fullback Jeffrey Christaens, midfielder James Younghusband, and winger Hikaru Minegishi are unavailable for the visitors.
The Philippines lined up in this a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formation:
A relatively solid-looking back line and midfield shield was exposed multiple times by China’s ruthless attack. Matters were compounded when James Younghusband was forced off by an ankle injury on twenty minutes and Daisuke Sato asked to be substituted on thirty-two.
Patrick Deyto was nervy, Amani Aguinaldo was uncharacteristically uncertain, and his centerback partner Luke Woodland was a bit of a liability.
The frontline played slightly better, pulling back a goal ten minutes before the break to make it 2-1, as the Philippines sought to get back into the game, but they were a no-show in the second half.
The team has to improve drastically if they want to come away from Dushanbe with a result.
This is how the Philippines could possibly line-up tomorrow, though due to the unpredictability of Thomas Dooley’s tactics, it could well be wrong.
Deyto probably plays in goal, though if his confidence is still shot, Kaya’s Nick O’Donnell could step in.
Unfortunately, there are no other real centerbacks in the squad, so Woodland and Aguinaldo will have to retain their roles, unless Dooley changes systems.
Ott and Ingreso will probably partner in midfield, unless Phil Younghusband is brought deeper as he did play last year.
The changes we have upfront could be the game-changer. Misagh Bahadoran, a natural winger, was drafted into striker, but he will probably be pushed back out wide with a returning Javier Patino back from a slight knock. On the left, Dooley has options. Ceres’ Iain Ramsay could start there. Mike Ott can also play on the wing.
Stallion’s experienced Reuben “Balot” Doctora could make an impact from the bench, or his club teammate Fitch Arboleda.
The Philippines has played against Tajikistan, in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup group stages, winning 2-1, with Phil Younghusband and Angel Guirado cancelling out Alexei Negmatov’s opener.
Five years on, however, Tajikistan are a much-changed team. They are confident of a win at home, and the Philippines need to be on the top of their game to dispel the ghosts of the defeat in Guangzhou and get a result.
The Flying Winger 