JAKARTA - Hans Michael Weiss, the German coach of the U-23 team that stumbled to a last-place group finish in the 26th Southeast Asian Games football competition, apologized for the team's dismal campaign, but also stressed the need to prepare much earlier for the next SEAG in 2013.
"The boys gave their best, but it was not enough," Weiss said Monday night shortly after Brunei dealt the Philippines its fourth loss in Group B. "Again, I sit here with empty hands and want to apologize for this campaign. We cannot change it at this moment."
Despite landing in a relatively lighter group, the U-23 Azkals won only one of their five matches to finish at the bottom of their group with only three points. The team's lack of experience and cohesion, as well as a weak back line, were exposed in the tournament, and Weiss was the first one to admit it.
"We have to draw the right conclusions and prepare much, much better than we did this time, with a very clear focus on the physical," Weiss explained. "Because physically, we're not strong enough, especially against Myanmar. To speak nothing of Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore. Totally different. We're far away from that.
Myanmar, which finished second in Group B behind Vietnam, gave the Philippines its worst loss, a 5-0 spanking that officially booted the junior Azkals out of contention.
The pressure of performing well, Weiss surmised, could have also added to the boys' poor results. "They were overwhelmed having to carry the expectations of the country on their shoulders. I'm still behind the boys. I'm trying to do my best. I'm also very disappointed.
"I'm the one who will get the bad talk and the trash talk, and I am ready for that. But I don't know if (Carlo) Ancelotti or another manager could have done much, much better. I don't think so.
Assessing the Philippines' situation at the junior level, Weiss did not mince any words. "I think this is the level of the Philippines right now. We tried our best. It just wasn't good enough."
The last game against Brunei, which had only managed a single draw before facing the Philippines, clearly showed what Weiss meant. Despite controlling possession and having numerous scoring opportunities, the team lost 2-1, with goalkeeper Roland Muller fumbling the ball after a Brunei free kick which led to an easy score. That goal proved to be the game-winner as the Philippines failed to find the equalizer in the second half.
"I think this game (against Brunei) will reflect the whole misery of the tournament," Weiss said. "I think we played them well in the first half. We had chance after chance. We had 21 shots on goal. [Muller] made a crucial mistake. It's unfortunate that he dropped the ball after a very easy free kick. He should normally have saved that one.
"We must understand, as pitiful as it might be at this moment, we are not on this level now. I sent Jason De Jong to the back line. But why? It was clear. The other options are riskier. With our weak defense, it was a miracle they didn't score more goals. But we should have finished the game in the first half."
more yahoo news
No comments:
Post a Comment