Happy with our progress – Philippines coach Michael Weiss

Philippines coach Michael Weiss is happy with the way his team is progressing ahead of next year’s AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives despite only managing a 1-1 draw against lower-ranked India in an international friendly in Siliguri on Friday evening.

Weiss pointed out that it wasn’t easy for his players to be completely focused on the game due to the tragedy back in the Philippines and thus was satisfied with the result.

“My players tried their best but it wasn’t easy to concentrate because of what has happened back home. I still feel we gave a good performance and it showed that we are on the right track. I am happy with our progress and must continue to work hard,” Weiss told after the game.

Although Philippines dominated possession and had the better chances, they could have easily lost the game as India substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua failed to score in second half injury time from three yards despite being unmarked. Thus the German acknowledged that his side rode their luck a bit.

“We had more of the ball and created plenty of opportunities in the second half. We could have won the game but India can say the same as they missed a great chance in stoppage time so we are a bit lucky as well and therefore I have no complaints about the result,” Weiss opined.

There were instances in the game when the Philippines players were getting agitated by the refereeing decisions and also saw a goal disallowed due to offside. Weiss refused to comment directly about the match officials but hinted that some soft freekicks were awarded against his side.

“I don’t want to comment on the refereeing and it’s difficult to talk about the offside goal as it happened quickly. But I would say that most 50-50 challenges turned out to be a freekick against us,” he concluded.