Sports: Azkals Beats Guam in Friendly Match, 3-0
Spectators were jubilant after the match with Philippines National Football Team Azkals tamed the visiting national football squad from Guam, 3-0, all scorted in the first half last night at Panaad Park and Sports Stadium football field in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Azkal mid fielder Angel Guirado breaks away to score a goal in the early
minutes of the 1st half against Guam during their friendly match last night. He
then scored another goal in the dying minutes of this half.* (H. James G.
Toga/NDB)
Angel Guirado, Spanish-Filipino descent carried the brunt of the Azkals offensive hitting the national first goal in the 7th minute then followed by Xarli Demerga in the 12th minute and Guirado came back at 46th minute before the hald ended.
In the second half, the Azkals aggressiveness continue even as the visiting squad would engaged them in many attempts but could not find their mark as well the the national who seem to relax in the later minutes knowinbg the win is already assured.
The Matao, Guam’s national men’s football team coach Gary White was all praise of the performance of his wards but said they came short of their best and acknowledged the intensity that were showed by the Azkals.
White thanked the Philippine Football Federation and the Guam Football Association for arranging the match with the Azkals.
Whaite said this is a very important match for us because this is a great opportunity for our players to gain experience against a strong team. We are experimenting with new formations and strategies in preparation for the East Asia Football Championship, the first leg of which will be held in Guam on July next year.
The six players with Filipino roots were so estactics of the reception they get from the fans and Negrense in playing here.
Matao players with Filipino roots are Ian Mariano, Ian Adamos, Randy Navarette Espinosa (who proudly said that both his parents have roots in Iloilo), Christian Schweizer, Reyn Johnson and Thaddeus Atalig.
Meanwhile, the friendly match-ups also prepares the team for the 2012 Suzuki Cup late this year. Michael Weiss also praises the Guam national team for a standing their ground fighting against them. The team is set to travel to the US in August for a series of matches against the Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
The event was organized by Pinky Abaño of Pink Idea Production with Visayas Football League headed by Mr. Junnie Lizares.
Lizares said this FIFA International Friendly match is well coordinated with Philippine Football Federation (PFF) along with sponsors ABS-CBN, Smart Communications, Pepsi Cola, Gatorade, Nature’s Spring, Kia, SVG Fertiplus, Havainnas and Libresse.*
