Philippines may enter January’s Asian Cup, as one of the three debutants at the tournament, yet their appearance is tinged with glitz and glamour upon the appointment of well renowned Sven-Goran Eriksson as coach in the last few months. Considering the gap they’ve made up in the last decade, Filipino football continues to fly under the radar. Set against a favourable looking group stage draw, can Sven’s men cause a shock in the Emirates?
For decades now, the Philippines have been underplayed and often disregarded as a minnow nation with little hope of progression. However, to look back, even over the last cycle’s transformation, critics now stand corrected on the footballing potential of the nation. It’s still optimistic to class them anything much above a developing nation at present, yet the standards of the domestic game are improving quickly, with further continental experience under their belt, the national team has become the lightning rod behind their ascension.
Headed by American Thomas Dooley throughout qualification, Philippines were a breath of fresh air, in arguably the most exciting group of early World Cup qualification. Victories over Bahrain and Yemen set the tone for a potential underdogs tale, many knew couldn’t be sustained, and while progression to the latter rounds was always a steep ask, a final day turnaround to deny North Korea of their own progression, illustrated a side on the up and hungry for success.
That came across evidently in the final round of Asian Cup qualification, ripping through the field, unbeaten and in a healthy scoring touch. From considered minnows, the Azkals were now flexing their muscle past their traditional surroundings. For all the progress of their previous AFC Challenge Cup colleagues (once known as the "emerging nations"), Philippines can hold themselves in high regard with such a comprehensive qualification campaign behind them.
The long-term success of the squad’s development falls under one man’s remit. Dan Palami’s stewardship as “team manager” of the Philippines since the turn of the decade is a role that rarely sees fruition in Asian football, yet has provided great significance in the Philippines’ rise. His overreaching control over youth and senior football, whilst also having a large say in the promotion and upkeep of the domestic league allows him influence scarcely granted outside the region, but crucially he’s a football man who has continued to deliver success to the local scene.
A particular route in their rise, has come via the intensive scouring of their global diaspora, which ramped up a gear under Palami’s watch. This has seen the Philippines develop an identity unique to any of their neighbours, in harnessing a game that can call upon the full reaches of European football. The current squad was almost exclusively born outside the country; heralding from the likes of Germany, Spain, Netherlands and England. The latter the birth place of footballing brothers and cult heroes Phil and James Younghusband, who have played key roles in the national team's rise since their discovery over a decade ago.
Phil, the skipper of the side, has escalated to the grandest of national platforms, becoming the country’s top scorer and accruing over 100 caps, ever since an anonymous fan of Football Manager recommended his services to the Azkals in 2005. Upon the brothers moving to the Philippines permanently, significant improvements gave way that have continued to this day, year-on-year seeing demonstrable success on and off the pitch.
Despite boasting a side full of players that were born across the globe, Filipino football can attest to honing their stock; by bringing them back home and integrating them into the domestic league. The likes of Stephan Schrock, Mike and Manuel Ott and Paul Mulders all gained significant European experience in Germany and Holland before moving to the PFL, bolstering a stronger identity dovetailed with European quality that has progressed through to the national team.
Upon qualification, came optimism that this could be the accelerator needed to break the higher reaches of the Asian game. Subsequently managerial upheaval has dampened such expectations slightly. Legendary English defender Terry Butcher came and went in a flash, without overseeing a single training camp or match, before Scott Cooper, a highly experienced coach in the region, was quickly replaced despite some promising early showings as caretaker over the summer.
In came the mercurial name and undoubted experience of Sven-Goran Eriksson, former England and Ivory Coast boss, who’s star may have fallen of late, given some questionable managerial spells in China, however his nous to provide an extra element in preparation can’t be underestimated. Thankfully, given the short lead up since his appointment, Eriksson is flanked by Cooper, acting as the mediatory to both the regional nuances of the nation’s football, but also to act as a tactical sounding board.
Cooper’s brief stint, in friendly draws against Bahrain and Oman promised much for the style evolution that was taking place. Reverting to a back three, with wing backs (which Philippines are well stocked in), an adventurous, possession-based approach seemed to be taking flight. Eriksson’s appointment has slowed that progress somewhat, reverting back to a more direct approach, with a flat 442 formation. Yet with Cooper at the Swede's side, the transition remains smooth, as was seen in their record equalling semi-final run at this month's Suzuki Cup.
Considering their group stage draw, pitting them against arguably the most unstable of seeded sides, China and relative overachievers Kyrgyzstan, a side they have great experience of facing in their Challenge Cup days, progression in their debut outing is far from being out of the question. How they achieve this is a matter for Eriksson’s selection.
Younghusband undoubtedly will lead the line, but with the assortment of options to play alongside him, either in the consistent running of Patrick Reichelt, the erratic but exuberant Misagh Bahadoran or the pure goal scoring poacher that is Javier Patino, the squad clearly has goals to call upon. Whilst at the other end, relying on a Premier League regular goalkeeper in Neil Etheridge is nothing to be sniffed at. Philippines on paper look a side cobbled together to make a fist of their debut continental tournament yet scratch the surface and you see a team ready to test themselves at the next level.
Key Men
Head Coach - Sven-Goran Eriksson (SWE)
A somewhat surprising appointment, taking over from interim coach Scott Cooper in October, after being linked heavily with the Iraqi national team job. In a prestigious career, that has included World Cup campaigns with England and Ivory Coast, alongside an Italian Serie A title with Lazio, Eriksson most recent appointments have been in China, guiding Shanghai SIPG to second place in 2015.
Star Player - Neil Etheridge
London born keeper, who is playing at the top of his game at present, in what is his debut Premier League campaign with Cardiff City, saving two penalties in two matches to kick the season off. Is an immense presence on and off the pitch, offering security and maturity to an inexperienced and changeable defence in front of him.
Outsider for Selection - Javier Patino
Spanish born striker who came from nowhere to become a catalyst for both club and country three seasons back, but quickly fell off the radar after a mediocre period in China. Now back in favour and back in Thailand with Buriram United where he played under previous coach Scott Cooper, he’s out to make up for lost time in the Azkals attack.
Young Prospect - John-Patrick Strauss
A recent acquisition, after opting to play for the country of his mother, the German born central midfielder has already proven himself a key man in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s line-up, starting every match he was available for at the recent Suzuki Cup. Alongside, Stephan Schrock, Kevin Ingresso and the Ott brothers, Strauss could conceivably line-up in an exclusively German born midfield.
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