by Kevin Estrada

In the biggest match of the year, the Philippines looks to lock in the top spot in the Asian Cup Qualifiers when they take on Tajikistan later tonight in Capas, Tarlac.

Newly appointed manager Carles Cuadrat stressed the importance of the Group A tie, with the winner having a massive advantage to keep the top spot.
 
“We know that it is a very important match, for the team and for the country,” said the 56 year-old tactician, who came in to succeed Albert Capellas on the first day of June.
  
Both teams had contrasting wins to begin their third round when it kicked off last March 25, but it was the Filipinos who are in pole position after a dominating 4-1 rout of the Maldives.

The tension was there for Gerrit Holtmann, as he is expected to play a big part on his home debut, having played all of his five caps since 2022 away from it. “From my side, it’s my first time to play in the Philippines and I got nervous,” he said.
 
However, he entrusts his teammates to do the job, as he knew that the Tajiks were looking for payback that is brewing since 2018, where the then-Azkals won both home and away to snatch the elusive ticket to UAE for their maiden Asian Cup appearance.

“Certainly it’s a different game,” Holtmann later said. “We will try to have a really good game.”
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