BACOLOD CITY (1 Dec 2018) – A dwindling squad does not bother Sven Goran Eriksson one bit as the Philippines head coach looks forward to playing Vietnam in the first leg, semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup tomorrow night at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
The Philippines have had to grapple with injuries and non-availability of players for the AFF Suzuki Cup this year with the latest to join the list being leftback Daisuke Sato.
Sato has had to return to his obligation with his Romanian club and where this has led to the Azkals having only 18 players in the squad.
“We are playing a very good team but I do not have any problem playing with the 18 players that we have. We have enough to play football,” said Eriksson.
“Vietnam are very organised in defence and also in the attack. And they are very strong in the counter attack. We have respect for them and they also have respect for us.
“It will be difficult to beat them but it is not impossible.”
The well-travelled Swedish tactician, who had previous stints with Roma, Benfica, Lazio and England among others, said that just like the FIFA World Cup and also the European Championships, the AFF Suzuki Cup is a big event.
He said that all games are different in nature but the preparation is almost similar – and the anxiety as well.
“I am always thinking of the game. Whether I have forgotten something or have I conveyed the entire message that I wanted to the players,” he added.
