Saturday, June 10, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Sports Sports Columns

The stat line that matters

Erel CabatbatbyErel Cabatbat
June 9, 2022, 9:00 pm
in Columns, Sports, The Designated Kit Man by Erel Cabatbat
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

The Philippine Azkals opened their bid in the 3rd and final qualifiers of the 2023 Asian Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with a 0-0 draw against Yemen.

Our side controlled 63% of ball possession, had more passes – 478 to 256, and had one more attempt as compared to their opponents. Despite much hope and effort against the Yemenis, the Azkals failed on one important stat line: goals made.

A fact that even team manager Dan Palami was quick to point out after the game.

Palami says the team was up in almost every statistical aspect of the game, even on offsides, but simply couldn’t make the breakthrough goal against Yemen.

“It was a tough first game for the Azkals. We did play well. We had most of the possessions and we controlled the game. Of course, there were some instances where we got caught in the counters, but overall, it was a good game. But there’s only one stat that matters in this game – that is the scoreline, which we could not exploit. It clearly shows that we need more firepower on top if we want to be successful in this tournament or in the future,” Palami said.

Palami is hoping that the arrival of Gerrit Holtmann, the VfL Bochum winger in the German Bundesliga, yesterday will help address this concern for the Azkals. That is, if he can adjust fast to the the current conditions in Ulaanbaatar.

“The adjustment will be difficult for him. It’s always difficult for international players to play in inferior conditions. Not necessarily [with] the team, but more on the pitch itself because it’s not ideal and the players find it difficult. I hope he will be able to adjust easily,” Palami added.

Palami is also not surprised that Azkals’ coach Thomas Dooley started youngsters Oliver Bias, Jefferson Tabinas, Sandro Reyes and Oskari Kekkonen against Yemen. He says Dooley is not afraid to use young players especially in big games.

“In my experience with him that’s how (Daisuke) Sato and Amani (Aguinaldo) made their debuts—they were 17 and 18, I think, at that time. I know already, having worked with them in ADT (Azkals Development Team), how well they play. The good thing really is we could say that the new generation of players have stepped up and are ready to take on senior level matches,” Palami explained.

Palami expects better results from the team in its next two games, which would be quite challenging after Palestine took a close 1-0 win, courtesy of a penalty, against Mongolia last Wednesday.

While Palami is optimistic about the Azkals’ chances against the host team, Dooley, on the other hand, remains cautious against the Mongolian side. He admits not knowing much about the team except of what he has seen in their game against the heavily-favored Palestine squad.

“It was a very interesting game to watch. Mongolia, so to speak, parked the bus the infant of the penalty box. They played with five defenders. In back line, they had sometimes three most of the time for players in front of the back five and they had one play up front. It is a very, very physical team and they are 100% fit. They are running like crazy and and fighting there. They did a god job. They were very dangerous,” Dooley said.

Except for minor adjustments, Dooley says he might stick to the same lineup that he used against Yemen tomorrow against Mongolia.

“I will change maybe a little bit on one or two positions, but it’s not 100% clear,” Dooley said.

As of now, Dooley is keeping his cards close to his chest knowing that the Azkals need to win against Mongolia to keep their hopes of advancing to the Asian Cup tournament proper alive.

Just like Palami, Dooley is elated that Holtmann is with the team at last. He says his team is complete despite not having all the players he wanted to be in Ulaanbaatar. Dooley says he has already spoken to Holtmann yesterday, while the team was having breakfast. And the newest Azkal and current Bundesliga star is every excited to play for the Philippines. Dooley says knowing this is very amazing.

While the anticipation for Holtmann to finally play with the Azkals is great and fans’ hopes are sky-high, Dooley is again asking everyone to manage their expectations.

“That we are going to score a lot of goals because he is a Bundesliga player, that is wrong. Because he needs time like everyone else. The players don’t know him. He doesn’t know his teammates. There is a time change and he just arrived from a 14 to 15 hour flight,” Dooley explained.

Dooley, however, will start Holtmann against Mongolia if plans push through.

“That is for sure. That’s why he is coming , he wants to play for us and even if he is not 100%, I want him to play and maybe he can decide on how he feels on how long he wants to play,” Dooley added.

Palami is confident Dooley and the rest of the team will be able to make the necessary adjustments come game time against the unpredictable host. He says he expects a better offensive attacking plan from the team with Holtmann around.

“That would be tragic if we can’t exploit the talent of Gerrit but I’m sure they have a plan now,” he said.

The Philippine Azkals will face Mongolia, 12.30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, June 11 at the MFF Stadium in Ulaanbaatar. If it is not asking too much, please include the team in your prayers tonight. We need the full 3 points tomorrow because at the end of the day, it is the stat line that matters.

On a personal note, I would like to greet Boss Dan—yup, the beloved Azkals manager and all-weather friend to all—a Happy Birthday! May your passion and dedication to advancing football never cease.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_ca[email protected] or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

Tags: 2023 Asian CupDan PalamiFootballPhilippine AzkalsYemen
ADVERTISEMENT
Erel Cabatbat

Erel Cabatbat

Related Posts

Backside assault lifts Jaraula to 5-shot win

byManila Standard Sports
June 9, 2023, 10:00 pm
0
8
PH pulls off best Para Games’ campaign

Reymon Jaraula displays his ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge trophy. Manny Marcelo Antipolo—Hounded by a throng of pursuers in a rousing...

Read more

Clarkson, Sotto unlikely to join Gilas’ pre-World Cup tourneys

byManila Standard Sports
June 9, 2023, 9:50 pm
0
8
PH pulls off best Para Games’ campaign

Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto Except for Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and NBA prospect Kai Sotto, all the active...

Read more

Filipinas ramp up World Cup preparations

byPeter Atencio
June 9, 2023, 9:40 pm
0
8
Filipinas ramp up World Cup preparations

A 29-member Philippine pool kicks off its 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup preparations into overdrive with a training camp, starting...

Read more

Olongapo bets seek top honors

byManila Standard Sports
June 9, 2023, 9:30 pm
0
8
PH pulls off best Para Games’ campaign

Celinda Raagas Celinda Raagas and Darell Bada set out against a pack of bidders all primed for battle of power...

Read more

PH pulls off best Para Games’ campaign

byManila Standard Sports
June 9, 2023, 9:20 pm
0
8
PH pulls off best Para Games’ campaign

Sander Severino Phom Penh, Cambodia—Team Philippines closed out its campaign in the 12th ASEAN Para Games with 34 gold medals...

Read more

SBP to Pinoys: Let’s break FIBA attendance record on opening day

byManila Standard Sports
June 9, 2023, 8:52 pm
0
8
SBP to Pinoys: Let’s break FIBA attendance record on opening day

Independence Day Ticket Promo Package rolled out With an eye at breaking the FIBA all-time attendance record, all roads will...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Chinese Rocket Part
  • 20,000 flee restive Mayon
  • Gov’t keeping close eye on Taal, Kanlaon activities too
  • El Niño here, US agency says; Save more water, PBBM orders
  • NAIA 3 suffers 30-min. power outage anew
  • Focus on besting 6% GDP growth, lawmakers urged
  • DMW lists 20 ‘cardinal sins’ for recruitment agencies
  • Number coding shelved for June 12 celebrations

Advertisement

Latest News

Focus on besting 6% GDP growth, lawmakers urged

byMaricel Cruz
June 10, 2023, 12:45 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. urged the House of Representatives to remain committed to...

Read more

DMW lists 20 ‘cardinal sins’ for recruitment agencies

byManila Standard
June 10, 2023, 12:40 am
0
8
Palace awaits DMW report on US island labor dispute

To strengthen the rights and welfare of land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) signed on...

Read more

Number coding shelved for June 12 celebrations

byJoel E. Zurbano
June 10, 2023, 12:35 am
0
8
Number coding shelved for June 12 celebrations

There will be no number coding on Monday, June 12, as the country celebrates its 125th Independence Day, according to...

Read more

April unemployment drops to 4.5%

byJulito G. Radaand2 others
June 10, 2023, 12:30 am
0
8
2022 trade deficit hit record $58.3b, imports surged 17%

The country’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.5 percent in April 2023 from 5.7 percent a year ago and 4.7 percent...

Read more

Marcos looking toward stronger PH-China ties

byVince Lopez
June 10, 2023, 12:25 am
0
8
Doc kills 3, hurt 1 in shooting at Ateneo campus

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday said he looks forward to stronger Philippine-China ties as both nations celebrate the 48th...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App