Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Sun, Nov 5

    Azkals face Nepal in Weiss' first match back as head coach

    Azkals vs Nepal in friendly
    Jun 15, 2023
    undefined

    THE Philippine Azkals play their first match under returning head coach Hans Michael Weiss when they go up against Nepal on Thursday night in a friendly at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

    The Azkals compete in the 7 p.m. contest just a few days after Weiss was reinstalled as coach, nearly 10 years after the end of his first stint with the national squad.

    See Real Madrid among Kylian Mbappe's potential destinations

    The men’s football team looks for a reboot with Weiss’ appointment following disappointing results over the past few years.

    Weiss has only worked with the team for two practice sessions since he was appointed. While he assured that he made the most out of the limited time with the team, Weiss reiterated that results won’t happen overnight.

    “To implement a new style of play and idea take some time. It will require some components that will not be perfect at the start but we have to start it eventually. I’m here with the main target of November this year. I’ll use all the Fifa windows in June, September, and October. We will implement the idea as soon as we can with the short period that we have,” said Weiss.

    Hans Michael Weiss

    Atletico Madrid U-19 player Santiago Rublico, Manny Ott, and Amani Aguinaldo have already pulled out of consideration for the team due to injuries.

    “As far as central defenders, we are a little bit short in members. But we will have to play [the players] with different positions maybe,” said Weiss.

    ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

    Top Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has joined the team in training but is questionable for Thursday’s match with his fitness still uncertain following his campaign with Birmingham City in the English Football League Championship.

    “You need time. When some of the players came from a holiday after a long season, we have to understand that some of them will not be the fittest. But they have to adopt,” said Weiss.

    MORE FROM SPIN
    MORE FROM SPIN

      Azkals player Daisuke Sato, meanwhile, expressed optimism with the direction of the Azkals with Weiss at the helm.

      “We start another journey. It’s going to be a new journey for the Azkals. We want to have a positive time this time. The last couple of years have not been the best time for the Azkals. I’m looking forward for a new start,” said Sato.

      “I really believe that with them [veterans] still together, with all the boys, the younger ones, with coach Weiss now, we can achieve really, really good things,” said the Persib Bandung footballer.

      CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
      Watch Now

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

      Read Next
      Watch Now
      Sorry, no results found for
    • POLL

      • Quiz

        Quiz Result