Azkal’s coach wants more time before naming new members

By Mars G. Alison
Cebu Daily News

New Azkal's coach Hanz Michael Weiss was so impressed with the talents he saw in the tryout team that he asked for more time to decide who among them will be joining the Azkals in Bacolod when they play Mongolia in the first leg of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Qualifiers on Feb. 9.

The tryout team drew with the Azkals, 2-2 yesterday, which forced the German mentor to postpone naming the new members of the national team to Friday saying he wanted to see more of the tryout team.

Cebuano Paolo Pascual, who was part of the 11 players shortlisted for the national squad, said he received good reviews from the coach and was told to stay and train with the Azkals until they leave for Bacolod on Jan. 26.

“There is a big chance that I might make the team, but nothing is decided yet,” Pascual told Cebu Daily News last night.

Although no decision has yet been made, Pascual was already asked to stay and train as well for the World Cup 2014 qualifier in June and the U23 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in November in Indonesia.

For this, Pascual, the current goalkeeper of the University of San Carlos (USC) team, said he might have to withdraw his subjects and stop schooling for the semester and even relocate to Manila.

His USC coach Gary Panagsagan said Pascual would be a big loss to the team but that he has their full support.

“It's his decision if he would transfer there, I will let him go for his development. He has our full support,” Panagsagan said.

Aside from becoming part of the Azkals, Pascual is also hoping that an Asian football club would notice him and offer him a chance to play football professionally.

“I am willing to forego my education to become a professional football player,” Pascual said.

Azkal team manager Dan Palami said he is leaving the decision to the coach on who would be part of the national team which he said would be within the week.

“We've been trimming it down since Monday and right now, it is more of determining how consistent the players are,” Palami said.

CEBU TRAINING CAMP

As for the Azkals having a training camp here in Cebu, Palami said it will depend on the pitch and the accommodation for the team.

He said he needs to insure that the pitch here would not pose any danger to the players.

Palami will be coming to Cebu City for the Board of Governors' meeting of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) on Jan. 29. He said he is also waiting for updates from Cebu Football Association (CFA) headed by Richard Montayre on the recommended venues.

Palami assured that Cebu though is being strongly considered as a training camp venue aside from Baguio, which has the suitable weather close to that of Mongolia where the second leg of the Challenge Cup qualifiers will be held in March.

“But we could also hold a training camp in both places,” Palami said.