New coach�s vow

MANILA, Philippines � German coach Hans Michael Weiss arrived over the weekend with a goal of taking the national football team to greater heights after achieving unprecedented success in his previous assignment in Rwanda.

�We want to go to the next step that's why I'm here,� Weiss told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. �I want to develop a very good, strong team that could move up to the second class of Asian football.�

To achieve that, Weiss said, he would like to �restructure� the whole program, particularly in the scouting of players for the squad.

�It's important to build a very good structure of scouting players and move on from there,� said the 43-year-old, who has also been tasked to handle the Under-23 team for the Southeast Asian Games in December. �We need as many training and exposure as possible.�

Weiss was tapped to coach the national squad as part of the assistance package to the Philippines by the German Football Association (DFB).

Weiss steered Rwanda's Under-17 team to the World Cup in Mexico for the first time in the country's history.

As technical director, he also developed several players in the Rwanda national team and local coaches who have now taken over their jobs in the national squad.

�I think we have left a trademark there in Rwanda,� he said. �I think Rwanda will forever speak positively about the cooperation with Germany.�

BEAT MONGOLIA COMFORTABLY

Weiss said he would not look past Mongolia, which the Azkals have been set to play in a two-game qualifying series for a spot in the group stage of the AFC Challenge Cup.

�We have to focus on Mongolia, that's the important thing,� he said. �We must beat them comfortably then we can talk about other issues. I also have the SEA Games in mind.�

Weiss said he was impressed by the Azkals' performance in the Suzuki Cup, considering that the country has not built a regular league.

�The team impressed me,� said Weiss. �But obviously we have players like Neil Etheridge and Phil Younghusband who have international experience, which made it easier.�

Weiss said he has been planning to adapt a more attacking style of play for the Azkals, who were criticized by Vietnam coach Henrique Calisto for their cautious play in their 2-0 upset of the 2008 Suzuki Cup champions in Hanoi last month. The Azkals went on to reach the semifinals for the first time in the tournament.

Cebu Daily News