The Philipppine's performance in the Suzuki Cup was a bit disappointing since they were the highest rated FIFA team in the AFF, but they were also missing or lost 8 players(mostly starters) from their WC qualifying roster due to retirement, injuries and clubs abroad not releasing them(tournament is not on FIFA dates). The 2 teams that they either lost to or nearly beaten in their group, Thailand and Indonesia, ended up making the finals and the winner Thailand just came off tying regular WC participant Australia in the WC qualifiers just before the tournament. Nevertheless, in most other countries, the coach would have been fired because of the disappointing performance. Dooley though just signed a 2 year extension a few months ago and considering the circumstances I think will be allowed to continue coaching this team in the Asian Cup qualifiers next year.
16 December 2016 Azkals coach Thomas Dooley is ordered to pay a fine of USD 5.000 1. Mr. Thomas Dennis Dooley is ordered to pay a fine of USD5,000/- for violating Article 6.8 of the AFF Suzuki Cup Tournament Regulations 2016. 2. The fine shall be settle within 30 days from the date that this decision is communicated in accordance with Article 11.3 of the AFC Disciplinary Code. 3. Mr. Thomas Dennis Dooley is is informed that a repeat violation of this provision will be met with more severe punishment. http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/list_of_the_afcdc_decisions_15122016.pdf Article 6.8 Any and all form of advertising on other garments or equipment (T-shirts, track suits, jackets, wristbands etc.) or on other material and accessories (kit bags, beverage containers, plastic bottles, etc) belonging to players, goalkeepers, team officials etc. is strictly prohibited inside and outside the stadium during official training sessions and match days and during official Press Conferences I think this has to do with his tendency to wear PUMA gear(not sure if he is personally sponsored by the brand) when the official team gear is sponsored by LGR. Dooley also tends to be very informal wearing shorts and T shirts all the time even during official press conferences. Picture of him with the other coaches in the Suzuki Cup. I think the fine has to do with his apparel. The other coaches in the group are either wearing collared shirts with their official kit providers or with no advertising, while Dooley is using his unofficial PUMA cap and a shirt without a collar.
Coached by former #usmnt captain Thomas Dooley, Philippines qualify for Asian Cup for first time after 2-1 comeback victory over Tajikistan. Tournament is in UAE in early 2019.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) March 27, 2018
Watched the game, and thus qualified Yemen for the tournament too.... Philippines by far the best team in that group though.. would have been a catastrophe for them to have not gone through... looking forward to seeing them in the UAE next year...
They missed the last Asian Cup by just one goal losing to Palestine 0-1 when all they needed was a draw. So it would have been a disaster for them to miss this edition again initially falling behind by one goal on a lousy penalty kick, before scoring 2 goals in their comeback. They made sure this time by finishing first in their group.
I saw some reactions to the goals on twitter and it was great to see so much passion from the fans, players and even the commentators. Hopefully Azkals can take advantage of making it to their first Asian Cup and advertise it like crazy to raise support for football in the country.
I agree. Soccer needs all the publicity it can get in basketball mad Philippines and hopefully this qualification to a high profile event, helps sell the sport to the public at large as well as sponsors and advertisers. The new professional league, PFL is in the same straits as MLS in its early years with 2 teams folding up, so they need all the help they can get.
Dooley's contract expired after the Tajikistan match They are still deliberating whether to renew his contract.
His record has been mixed(not being able to advance beyond the group stage of the AFF Championship despite the team having done so the past 2 tournaments and despite hosting the tournament) and his player management abilities have also been questioned, with him excluding(deserving or not) some of the Azkal's most experienced players(Schrock, Cagara, etc.) due to personality conflicts. You have to balance that with him leading the team to the Asian Cup(although you could argue that they could have clinched the slot a game earlier against a weaker team like Nepal instead of leaving it to the final game in the group stage against a stronger Tajikistan team, to assure themselves of progression to the Asian Cup finals). The current Azkals manager might also be stepping down and the new one might have other ideas on who the head coach should be. We will see.
ah... so what you are saying is they should have "duly qualified", but instead they "Dooley qualified"...
The team under Dooley has fared not a whole lot more than they were expected to, and also not a whole lot less. Sure there was the win against N. Korea. But balance that with the loss against Yemen and the first failure since 2010 to make it out of the group stage of the Suzuki Cup. I say it's time to give him a heartfelt thanks for his services and then move on to a new coach. Need to find someone who will take the Azkals to the next level and in order to do that, a chance is needed. Risky, yes. But at this point it's better to take a risk for that upside potential than to stay with the safe bet and not progress.
Technically vacant since Dooley's contract has expired and not renewed. But no final decision yet. They are still deliberating.
Azkals manager Dan Stephen Palami informed that the national team head coach will be confirmed on June 14 in an event in Solaire. In an interview with the media during The Business of Football – Philippines event sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation in Makati, the manager provided an update on who will lead the Philippine national football team to the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup on November and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup on January 2019. “There’s an event in Solaire on June 14 at that time, I’ll be making that announcement (on who will be the new Azkals head coach),” said the Azkals boss when asked about the timetable on the new head coach will be confirmed. It is to note that previous head coach Thomas Dooley’s contract has already matured as of the end of last March, yet he is still in the running for an extension along with two other candidates for replacement. http://www.foxsports.ph/football/as...l/857767/dan-palami-azkals-headcoach-june-14/
Philippines were drawn with China, South Korea and Kyrgyzstan for the Asian Cup finals next year in UAE. With 4 3rd place teams going through, they actually have a decent shot at making the knockout stages if they can beat fellow debutants Kyrgystan. Azkals will also probably be one of the best supported teams in the UAE due to their high population there. Too bad Dooley won't be part of that.
Former Rangers FC captain and English national football team centerback Terence "Terry" Ian Butcher has been listed as one of the options to replace Thomas Dooley as head coach of the Philippine Azkals head. "He has been considered," Azkals manager Dan Palami told Rappler following a report by The Scottish Sun that Butcher is headed to the Philippines to take over the national team. The Philippine Azkals will formally name on Thursday, June 14, the new head coach who will be tasked to lead the nationals in the 2018 Suzuki Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup. In his 10-year professional playing career, Butcher appeared in 3 editions of the FIFA World Cup. He also won 77 caps and scored 3 goals throughout his international stint. Butcher was one of the 5 defenders who attempted to hold off Argentina legend Diego Maradona's "goal of the century" in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. The 59-year-old managed clubs in England, Scotland, Australia and Wales, but was sacked 5 times. Butcher was part of coaching staff of the Scotland national team headed by George Burley in 2008. https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-s...tcher-considered-philippine-azkals-head-coach We will find out tomorrow.