Just when the Philippine Azkals appeared headed for another frustrating result at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Jens Rasmussen darted out of nowhere, took the ball on his own, shredded the visitors’ entire defense before slamming the ball home with his wicked left foot in the 74th minute to bring faithful fans toiling at the Rizal Memorial Stadium back to life. But more importantly, the 21-year-old tied the ball game as the Philippines finally converted after several misfires in their friendly against Afghanistan three nights ago.
Seven minutes later, Christian Rontini gave the Azkals the lead with a stunning header. The Azkals, who surrendered goals in the dying minutes in their previous two tune-up games, showed discipline and resilience to complete the comeback win, their second under Coach Hans Michael Weiss and their first since June when the friendlies started.
Despite gallant efforts of the OGs like Patrick Reichelt, Daisuke Sato, OJ Porteria, Carli De Murga and Neil Etheridge, the Azkals were not able to penetrate the Afghans’ defense in the first half. There were several chances but the visitors were at task in denying the Azkals. It was the Afghans who eventually took the lead in the 63rd minute courtesy of Omid Popalzay’s strike.
Azkals’ head coach Weiss’ move to put in Rasmussen and Bienvenido Marańon in the game, however, eventually paid off. Marańon brought energy to the Azkals’ midfield. And when it mattered most, the Azkals youngsters made a good account of themselves. Although Rasmussen came up with the spectacular solo effort, Weiss said he was not completely surprised because he knew all along what the young player could do on the pitch.
“I consider him as the future of the team because he has the body, the speed, the power and the ruthlessness in front of the goal. He is also very versatile— he can play on the wings and he can also play as a striker,” Weiss said of Rasmussen, who plays in Denmark.
Weiss also heaped praises on Rontini, who proved that he can also be relied upon when the team was looking for the go-ahead goal in desperation time.
“He is a fighter and you know he is a real player with a very positive character. He already has three goals in Indonesia on set pieces, so I was hoping that he would score during the game. But his goal was really spectacular, the way he jumped, the timing and everything. If you have this quality in the team and he utilizes it in the game, you are a happy coach. He can be a regular starter if he keeps on playing like that,” Weiss said.
Aside from the two, Weiss said he is also happy with the way Santiago Rublico and Justin Baas have conducted themselves on the pitch. Rublico is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, on the team right now. “He played a fantastic game in the second half. He ran a little bit out of speed but he is super talented to watch,” Weiss explained.
Weiss said Rasmussen, Rontini, and Baas, who are all in their early 20s, and Rublico who is just 18 years old, will be the foundation of the team in the coming years. But as much as he praises the young guns, Weiss also paid credit to the older and much experienced players in the team.
The “senior” Azkals did their share in holding the line. Unlike in their last two games, a 2-1 loss in Manila and a 1-1 draw in Kaohsiung both against Chinese Taipei, where the Azkals conceded goals in the dying minutes, the team showed a different character against Afghanistan.
Weiss said the Azkals erased the ghosts of their last two games by showing patience and perseverance until the final whistle.
“It is now my job to rejuvenate the team. The veterans played a good game and as long as they can perform, they will be considered but then we have to give chances to the new generation. I really want to see players who can help us with their tenacity, power and dynamism. I want to see players like OJ (Porteria), who is like a non-stop running motor. He kept running for 90 minutes, he gave his all on the pitch and this should be the standard for any player on the team,” Wiess added.
Even Dan Palami, the Azkals’ team manager, has high hopes after the win against Afghanistan. He said that every win is very important in boosting the country’s preparation for the Asian and World Cup qualifiers. Palami said that the Azkals showing grit and determination despite being a goal down in the second half is a big step towards the right direction.
“The team is a good mix. Credit to everybody who made themselves available. As I have said many times before, if you are good enough, you are old enough to be on the team no matter what age you are. Look at Santi (Rublico) for example, he just turned 18 but he started for the team and maganda ginawa niya. We have so many young Azkals and yet when they were called, they responded well to the demands of the coach and the game,” Palami explained.
Just like Weiss, Palami is also aware that the next evolution of the Azkals has started.
“It has to happen. Even the players themselves understand. Everybody wants them to stay as long as they can, but the players also know the demands of the game from them. It is indeed an admirable character for the players who have been there for several campaigns in the last several years to make themselves available and committed for the country,” Palami added.
Palami maintained that player availability remains a very important factor in every campaign. He also maintained he understands the reality and the reasons why some players fail to join the team. He is happy that in the absence of such players, those who were present grabbed the opportunity to show why they belong and deserve to be Azkals.
The ideal Azkals’ lineup is strong, both on paper and on the pitch. Ideal, however, is the deal breaker, it may never materialize due to various reasons, injuries and others, but in those scintillating moments by Rasmussen and Rontini, they showed that given the opportunity, faith and necessity, the Azkals’ youth brigade can own the moment and circumstances.
In doing so, they also showed that the time of the new generation of Azkals has arrived sooner than later. I, too, share the collective optimism of real Azkals fans. If I still need to explain this, you are not one of them. Here’s hoping, however, that this is not a fluke but rather the norm in the coming friendlies next month and in November where the Azkals can find redemption and eventually move out of the long shadow casted upon them by the Filipinas. After all, it is their chance and may they return the opportunity with positive results and prove once more that they can win big games again when it really matters most.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!