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They may not be able to bend it quite like David Beckham, but Sven-Goran Eriksson's Philippines have made an instant impact in their first appearance at the Asian Cup.Ranked a lowly 116th in the world, the Azkals (street dogs) bared their teeth against SouthWatch: Sven's 'street dogs' put Philippines on Asian Cup map
They may not be able to bend it quite like David Beckham, but Sven-Goran Eriksson's Philippines have made an instant impact in their first appearance at the Asian Cup.Ranked a lowly 116th in the world, the Azkals (street dogs) bared their teeth against South Korea in Abu Dhabi this week, giving the favourites a real fright before eventually losing 1-0 -- a far cry from the hammering many had predicted.«It's a different challenge,» Eriksson told AFP in an interview Thursday.«The Philippines is unfortunately not a football country -- basketball is more popular. But if this generation of players can do well at the Asian Cup, they can change that.»Eriksson took charge of the Philippines last November on a short-term contract until the end of the Asian Cup.And the Swede is relishing the slower pace after a glittering coaching career that included spells at Lazio, Manchester City and, most famously, five years in the England hot seat from 2001 to 2006.«Here it's much more quiet,» smiled the 70-year-old. «If you travel around the world with David Beckham it's total chaos everywhere you go.»I was amazed how he could focus on the football," added Eriksson, who was hounded by media and... Read more