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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Despite latest defeat, Weiss remains positive about Azkals' chances in World Cup qualifier

Despite latest defeat, Weiss remains positive about Azkals' chances in World Cup qualifier

Published Nov 17, 2023 08:24 am

At A Glance

  • Azkals head coach Michael Weiss was satisfied with the squad for giving its all before the 10,378 crowd despite losing to the visiting Vietnam side in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualification tournament on Thursday night, Nov. 16, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. 
  •  

Azkals head coach Michael Weiss was satisfied with the squad for giving its all before the 10,378 crowd despite losing to the visiting Vietnam side in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualification tournament on Thursday night, Nov. 16, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. 

raw-16112023-qualifiers ph vs vietnam-09-quizol.jpg
Stephan Schrock tries to protect the ball against a Vietnam defender during their match in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualification tournament. (Arnold Quizol)

Backed by the home crowd, the Philippines couldn't deliver as much as expected and conceded a last-minute goal to Vietnam to suffer a 2-nil defeat. 

After the opening game fixtures in Group F, the Nationals now sit in the third spot with no points in sight and a goal difference of -2 behind Iraq and Vietnam with three points each.

The PH crew can no longer afford any defeat from here on as only the top nine sides and group runners-up will advance to the third round and earn an outright qualification to the AFC Asian Cup. 

 “Considering the pressure and the chances that we had in the second half, I thought maybe a draw would have been a fair result. Nevertheless, I am very, very satisfied with the performance. I think we can hold our heads high. We let everything on the pitch,” said Weiss. 

Not even half an hour into the match, Vietnam opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Patrick Reichelt’s goal was disallowed due to offside. 

The Nationals then trailed by a single goal all through the regulation as they were able to defend fairly well and created good chances for themselves to equalize or even stay ahead. 

However, three minutes into stoppage time, Vietnam doubled its lead off a long ball followed by a scramble to take home the three points with them and a GD of +2.  

“Coming back to the initial plan, it was that we hold the opponent hopefully for a longer period,” Weiss said. 

“But it is what it is. We are not happy but shouldn’t also put our heads down or be sad about it. They gave everything.” 

The Nationals will have a shot to redeem itself in front of the expectant home crowd against Indonesia on Tuesday, Nov.  21, at the same venue before playing its last group stage match next year against current top seed Iraq. 

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