Gritty Azkals gunning for two-for-two with upcoming friendlies against Chinese Taipei

Photo Credits: RM Chua

Looking to wrap up their first international window with coach Hans Michael Weiss, the Philippine Azkals are set to take on Chinese Taipei who's coming off a respectable result against Thailand who boasted a solid squad bannered by Teerasil Dangda in their friendly match last June 16, 2023 as they drew 2-2 against the Southeast Asian powerhouse.

Ahead of the match, coach Weiss met with the press and reinstated that this is just the initial phase of the plan to rebuild the Azkals and push them to be stronger or just level to where they were in the past few years. During the pre-match presser, Weiss said, "Even if things were not perfect in the first game, I think we can already see a glimpse of going forward and being more of an attacking threat. This is the way I want to go."

Kevin Ingreso, who was one of the key players in their win against Nepal also said, "It's about getting to know each other. We have to adapt to each and every character as well in the team." After their first test under the tutelage of coach Weiss, the players were pushed to their limits making some of them questionable ahead of their encounter against Chinese Taipei.

Despite not being sure on who to field for the starting 11, der Meistertaktiker still thinks that everybody will give their 100% come matchday on June 19, 2023 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. He said, "What I can promise is we will have a good, confident, and joyous which will try to get on the forefront and put the gas pedal on and show something to the people."

Weiss can't also help but feel nostalgic as he saw a glimmer of hope in last Thursday's win against Nepal that has been witnessed by over 3,200 fans. "When the stadiums were full, when many people come, it's absolutely helpful. The players hate to play with marginal spectator numbers." Weiss added, "They want to be supported. They want to feel the love. All of us, we want that again."

Talking about how he will approach the match against Chinese Taipei, Weiss hinted on getting more offensive and producing more chances instead of playing it safe or conservative as he said, "In general, we want to a little bit more forward. We want to create more chances, we want to be more on attacking particularly when we're at home."

With this game being the last match in this FIFA International Window, it'll be important for the Azkals to close this on a high note for them to have full momentum heading into the next international window which will take place later on in September and October before they start their join 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in November.