Perth Glory booters hold down Azkals

MISSING several key players, the Philippine Azkals absorbed a 0-2 defeat to Australian side Perth Glory Tuesday in a friendly that kicked off preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup late this year.

Joe Knowles and Richard Garcia scored for the A-League side that pulled off the second win of its pre-season tour of the Philippines before 6,000 spectators at Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

Both goals came in the second half with Knowles firing the opener in the 67th minute, before Garcia doubled the advantage in stoppage time.

“The players tried to play the game we wanted to play, but we have to improve on our concentration,” said deputy coach Aris Caslib. “We conceded two goals which were almost similar, and we couldn’t finish good chances in the second half.”

The match was the Azkals’ first since their memorable 3-2 win over North Korea in World Cup Qualifying last March.

But with Ceres-La Salle players unable to join the squad as the match did not fall in the international window and other foreign-based players unavailable, Caslib fielded a makeshift side with Simone Rota and Amani Aguinaldo joined by Shirmar Felongco and Jerry Barbaso at the backline.

Nick O’Donnell started on goal in the place of the injured Patrick Deyto and the Global stopper acquitted himself well with a string of good saves in the second half. Phil Younghusband returned to skipper the side.