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[av_heading heading=’Azkals vs Thai team in Suzuki Cup survival tiff ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Philippine Azkals will be in survival mode as it takes on Thailand War Elephants in the 2016 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup tonight at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Azkals is currently on second place, with two points behind War Elephants’ six. Indonesia Merah Puti is third with one point, while Singapore Lions is scoreless.
For Azkals to clinch one of the two semifinals seats, it has to win or force a draw with War Elephants and hope the Merah Puti-Lions match ends in a draw or the Lions scores an upset over Merah Puti.
On Tuesday night Azkals settled for a second-straight draw match when it forced a 2-2 stalemate with Merah Puti. The home team opened the campaign with a scoreless draw with Lions.
Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley said his wards prepared hard for its “knockout match” with War Elephants, which the Philippine team has never beaten.
“The team will be ready against Thailand. We will prepare for them,” Dooley said. “Thailand does not want to lose for the first time against (Azkals). We don’t expect them to pull back.”
While already assured of advancing into the next round, War Elephants vowed not to slow down against Azkals as it aims to enter the semifinals round with a clean slate and a winning note.
“Even if we are already in the semifinals, we will still work hard and continue what we are doing,” said War Elephants head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang. “We will give our 100 percent against Azkals.”
In each group stage, the final ranking will be determined by the greater number of points obtained, goal difference and greater number of goals scored in all of the group matches.
If two or more teams remain equal, the higher-ranked team will be determined by the result of the direct match between the teams concerned, kicks from the penalty mark if the two teams are still on play, and drawing of lots by the organizing committee./PN
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