The opportunity to advance further in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2014 will be wide open for both as Philippines hosts Sri Lanka in the return game to be played in Manila, Philippines today. Both teams had the opportunity of gaining an early advantage in the first leg of the two match series but host Sri Lanka made sure Philippines will not underestimate their strengths after the game ended in a 1-1 draw in Colombo last Wednesday.
Considering the performances of both teams in the first match Philippines can be satisfied that they will be playing in their home conditions which suit their style of play. The way Sri Lanka has approached to counter their first hurdle at an international outing with a fresh looking outfit could be applauded. They made a dull start in the first leg but took time to study their opponents who are considered a much stronger outfit in loose play.
Sri Lanka’s defense was solid right throughout the game, which is an area the team management could be satisfied. Sri Lanka was strong as the far more experienced Philippines but they clearly displayed their lack in the finishes.
Sri Lankan supporters could be overwhelmed by their footballers’ grit on Wednesday but the Philippines coach; Michael Weiss explained his views on his opponents saying that it was something he anticipated.
“Sri Lanka played the way I expected. In the Philippines everybody thinks that they are on top of the world but we are quite far from there. This was clear against Sri Lanka in Colombo. I have continuously conveyed to my management that we should stop dreaming and start playing the real game. The result of the first match was a good eye opener for all but I was really not surprised by this as I expected this to happen,” Weiss told reporters.
On Sri Lanka’s side, The Philippines were well countered by the home team. Sri Lanka after missing a few early chances got their act together and scored via a penalty from midfielder Chathura Gunaratne during the first half. But according to coach Jang Jung, Sri Lanka could have done better.
“The first game was a good outing for our fresh set of youngsters to combine as a team. But I thought we could have done better. We were not alert and lacked a bit of composure. As for my assessment, if we had covered those areas we could have walked into the second game with less pressure. But ours is a young squad without much experience as a team. I hope we will correct our mistakes and look into the second game more optimistically,” Jang Jung said.
After failed attempts throughout the first half, Philippines made a strong comeback in the second half to equalize through a header from midfielder Nathaniel Burkey. They played up to their potential but Sri Lanka had a solid defense and a safe custodian to spoil the 155th ranked Philippines from running riot. But Weiss, after seeing Sri Lanka play against them on Wednesday, was confident that his team could fly high today.
“On the Colombo pitch it was difficult to stick to our game plan as it was stony and uneven. This did not support our style of play and the end result was a draw. But in Manila the conditions are quite different. In front of a huge home crowd we are confident of a win and advance to the next round,” Weiss added.
“In the first half we were superior but we probably underestimated Sri Lanka too much in the first match. They worried us too much due to our own mishaps. I hope the same mistakes will not repeat today,” he repeated.
Sri Lanka will certainly not allow the Philippines to have their own way though they will be playing in front of a massive partisan crowd. Korean national Jung thinks that today could be a day that he could become a happy man.
“Of course the whole team is really looking forward for a win. They played their hearts out in Colombo. The Manila pitch condition is far better than Colombo we can expect a far better performance today,” he added. The winner of today’s match will meet Kuwait in the second round on the road to the football World Cup in Brazil in 2014. |
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