THE Azkals conceded two early goals to Bahrain to wind up losing, 2-1, in a late Monday night at the Bahrain National Stadium to wrap up their week-long training camp in the Middle East.
Faozi Mubarak scored in the 29th minute, while Abdulla Yaser slotted home the second goal only two minutes later to put the 104th-ranked Al-Ahmar ahead early in the match.
Manny Ott then put pressure on the hosts by scoring just outside the box midway through the second half to the delight of the Filipinos in the audience. But the Azkals failed to capitalize on their opportunities late in the contest with Simone Rota and OJ Porteria going wide with their shots.
The camp was part of the team’s run-up to the 2018 Fifa World Cup Asia qualifier campaign, where the top 40 teams from the region will be divided into eight groups of five teams each in the second round on April 14.
American Coach Thomas Dooley changed the team’s attacking and defending strategies, where the Azkals put premium on the offensive line that leaves three players at the back row.
For years the Philippines employed the traditional four-man back-row defense in the 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formations, which has been shaken up under the guidance of the former US national team captain.
Headlining the team’s lineup are veterans Phil Younghusband, James Younghusband, Neil Etheridge, Simon Greatwich, Jerry Lucena, Patrick Reichelt and captain Rob Gier.
Holdovers from previous teams included Amani Aguinaldo, Kenshiro Daniels, Ruben Doctora, Patrick Deyto, Juani Guirado, Mark Hartmann, Roland Muller, Manny Ott, OJ Porteria, Simone Rota, Daisuke Sato, Martin Steuble, Dennis Villanueva and Javier Patino.
Making their debut are Filipino-Japanese midfielder Satoshi Otomo of Global FC and Filipino-Spaniard defender Alvaro Silva of Kuwaiti Premier League side Al-Qadsia.
Longtime Azkal Christopher Greatwich will take a break from national duties to focus on personal matters.