Stephan Schrock’s rocket gave the Azkals a shock 1-0 at halftime, but Kuwait’s proved their superiority after the break as they progress to the third round of qualifiers.

Here are five things we learned from the tie:

Over the two games, the Azkals tried a myriad of strategies against the Gulf powerhouse. In the first leg in Kuwait City, the Azkals parked the bus; in the second leg, the Azkals needed to score, hence they played a more attacking and open game. In both instances, they were methodically torn apart by the superior team.

Both Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss and Kuwait coach Goran Tufegdzic pointed to Al-Asraq’s deeper experience as the key factor in the victory. Comfortable on the ball and hardly panicking even when a goal down, Kuwait systematically shredded the Azkals midfield with one-touch passing and clever runs.

With swarming defense combined with lightning quick counter-attacks, Kuwait showed no let-up in 180 minutes of football to leave the Azkals chasing shadows for most of the tie.

Such is the level of football of the Kuwaiti team that even with star midfielder Fahad Al Ebrahim’s sent off, Kuwait not only maintained control of the game but also scored two unanswered goals to put the tie beyond doubt.

With Al Ebrahim, Kuwait’s man of the match in the first leg, out of the game after getting two yellow cards, the Azkals had numerical advantage on the pitch, which should have translated to more possession for the Azkals. Instead, Al-Azraq picked up where they left off and continued to push forward in search of goals.

There can be no complaints from the Azkals; we lost to the better team.

Tufegdzic reportedly said that this current Kuwaiti team presented Al-Azraq with their best chance in years to qualify for the World Cup.

When the draw for the second round of the World Cup qualifiers was made, Kuwait could be forgiven if they thought they hit the jackpot. Sri Lanka or the Philippines awaited them, surely no match for Al-Azraq’s class.

Fast forward to the 52nd minute of the second leg and with the Azkals leading 1-0 on the night. A streaking Phil Younghusband is seen bearing down on the Kuwaiti goal with three Kuwaiti defenders giving chase. The hearts of Kuwaiti fans were surely in their collective throats with the prospect of going 0-2 down on the night. The Azkals were not exactly the pushovers Al-Azraq were expecting when they learned of the draw.

Coach Weiss has been effusive in his praise for goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, and rightly so. Only 21 years of age, Etheridge arguably kept the Azkals in the game for the best part of two legs. Yet to hit his prime, Etheridge will be a force between the sticks for the Philippines for years to come.

For the opening 45 minutes of each leg, the Azkals proved that they can mix it up with the big boys of Asian football. Interestingly, the aggregate score of the first halves would have been a draw of 1-1, not at all a shabby result for the Azkals against a team ranked more than 50 places above them.

There were numerous excellent individual performances for the Azkals. Ray Jonsson was impenetrable at left-back. Rob Gier had excellent games anchoring the defense. Angel Guirado, although seemingly not his usual self in the latter part of the second leg, was a constant threat with his height and guile. Chieffy Caligdong’s work rate is outstanding and his pace is a tremendous asset for the team.

Where the Azkals were found wanting is in the delivery of the final ball, that one final touch that would give their attack just that menace — that world class pass that could turn a half-chance into a real chance on goal. Too often, we see excellent build-up play from the team, only to be let down by that final pass.

With more high intensity games like these against Kuwait, it would not be long before they can stay toe-to-toe with the best of Asia for the whole 90 minutes of play.

Sorely missed in the first leg, Schrock opened the second leg by mailing in his calling card to the visiting Kuwaiti goalkeeper with an unstoppable golazo to the top right corner, sending the Azkals to a brief one goal lead at the stroke of halftime.

Superb on the ball and boasting an incredible vision on the field, Schrock has emerged as the driving force in midfield for the Azkals. Possessing a combative spirit that belies his diminutive 5-foot-7 frame, the combustible Filipino-German midfielder drew well-earned the plaudits from his compatriot Weiss, who said Schrock “a nice guy, full of passion playing for his home country, and has a super quality.”

If the Azkals are to dream of further success on the field, it is essential that management unearth, if not develop more world-class talents like Schrock.

Weiss admitted that he was hesitant to use his substitutes in the first leg in Kuwait, despite the starting eleven obviously wilting in the desert heat. In the cauldron of the Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in Kuwait, he clearly felt that the pressure may overwhelm of his bench players, which may lead to the Azkals conceding even further.

Kuwait, on the other hand, had so much depth that it was able to field star striker Fahad Al-Enezi off the bench for the second leg. Dubbed the “Arab Ronaldinho,” Al-Enezi continually tormented opposing defenses with his quick feet and fancy footwork punctuated by neat flicks, step overs and drag backs which even had captain Aly Borromeo foul him in frustration in the dying stages of the game.

If complete and available, the Azkals do have quality. Notable absentees for the series are Chris Greatwich, Jerry Lucena, Paul Mulders, and Dennis Cagara. In football, however, suspensions, injuries and club commitments often prevent teams from fielding a complete line-up.

Hence, developing a pool of 30 to 40 players available for selection will be essential. If Weiss will have his say, it will not just be any forty players, but forty quality players.

Highly regarded Paris St. Germain keeper Alphonse Areola has been specifically targeted by Weiss as a backup for Neil Etheridge. Areola, reportedly sought after by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs, will be one substitute Weiss will not hesitate to use.

With an average age of 25.8 years, the Azkals’ starting eleven arguably has yet to hit its prime. It is safe bet to announce that with proper funding and training, growth of football in the Philippines will only continue in the years to come. Thanks to the influx of sponsors, public interest and grassroots development should continue.

Our Southeast Asian neighbors Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore have all progressed to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. For Azkals fans, now is not the time to despair. With football just starting to flourish and gain recognition in the country, it will not be long before we join them there.

But there’s more for local football fans beyond just the Azkals.

Football junkies will get their weekly dose of live football action via the local United Football League, due to start a brand new season. Azkals Jason Sabio and Nate Burkey are reportedly joining the list of recruits for the new season.

The Philippine Homeless World Cup Team, which will begin its campaign on August 21 in Paris, France, will surely need our support.

The Malditas, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team will compete in the AFF Women’s Championship in Laos on October 16. Bannered by Captain Marielle Benitez, they will see action against Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand.

source: Ryan Fenix, InterAKTV