By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines —The Philippine football team will see action in three major tournaments in 2011, including the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil which the country is joining for the first time in more than a decade.
The Azkals resume their campaign in February when they clash with Mongolia in a home-and-away tie in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifier.
The home game will most likely be held at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod on Feb. 9, but the Philippine Football Federation is also pushing to have the away game at Panaad because of the cold weather in Mongolia.
Also lined up is the qualifying event for the 2014 World Cup and the Southeast Asian Games in December in Indonesia.
The SEA Games is an Under-23 event and only six players from the senior team, including goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and Jason de Jong, will be eligible for the tournament.
Given little chance because of their poor results in the past, the Azkals emerged as the surprise package of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, reaching the semifinals where they bowed to Indonesia.
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Good vision!
ReplyDeleteI believe Philippines will talk alot next year and also glad to hear that you'll join the World Cup 2014 Qualification.
Hope some SEA Nations can qualified the WC Qual 2014, first we have to beat the East Asian Nations such as Japs and Korea.
.::Alien Faces::.
But we have to warn the newly hooked Filipino football fans not to set high expectations in our World Cup qualifying campaign. West and East Asian teams are still way far from our level although I'm very interested to see how our solid defense will fair against the best strikers and midfielders of Asia as well as Phil Younghusband doing the damage up front. But we have to replace Ian Araneta first. Mr. Palami should take a closer look at Denis Wolf, Patrick Reichelt and or Josh Alcala who suited up for US 2nd division team Austin Aztex. Pairing one of those guys can create a dangerous tandem with Phil. Newly discovered Iain Ramsay of Adelaide United can also strengthen our left wing.
ReplyDeleteImport for the short to medium term and use these players to promote the game all over the country. And they should be required by the Federation to conduct clinics, be guest trainers at regional clubs, etc.
ReplyDeleteWow, I hope they go all the way..But realistically major drastic changes has to happen, like providing a proper training facility that is up to par with the rest of the world, which I think that RP is lacking. Aren't they just renting the U.of Makati field by the hour?
ReplyDeleteDo they even have a team physician and strength and conditioning coach? Just the essential staff for a national team needs to compete. Most of all: A home stadium..Lahat ng stadium sa pinas pipichugin kaya hinde pwede mag host ng matches..PFF has to think of creative ways to draw in sponsorship to help fund the construction of a training facilty and grassroot programs, on top of the funds it recieves annually from FIFA.
They should get back the money that Martinez took. It could be use for additional reconstruction of the stadium. This will clear the image of the sport against a corrupt leader and build trust for people who would like to invest and support the sport financially.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect Mr. Hyena , you can also ask Mr. Araneta to give back the money he got from Barotac Stadium . Mas Malaki yun.
ReplyDelete1 step at a time please
ReplyDeleteUna sa lahat kailangan natin ng MATINONG field, para naman makapag host tau ng mga matches at para mas masupportahan pa natin ang ating NT.... Keep it up Azkals !!
ReplyDelete