Azkals first test vs Negros selection today

AFTER four days of rigid training in Negros football pitches under German mentor Hans Michael Weiss, the Philippine Football Team Azkals will taste their first test as they clash against the Negros Selection at 4 p.m. today at the Panaad Sports Stadium in Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Azkals' team captain Aly Borromeo on Sunday admitted that they are expecting a hard game against the local selection which is composed of several former national team standouts. "We expect that they will play hard against us and will try to make a point. We know that players from Negros play very well," Borromeo said.

After arriving last Saturday, Borromeo felt good to get back on training in Bacolod as they look forward to play against Mongolia next week, February 9, for the 2012 AFC-Challenge Cup qualifying round.


Borromeo also lauded the warm hospitality of the local fans in Bacolod, which will serve as an inspiration in the team's determination to win the game.

Meanwhile, James and Phil Younghusband also joined yesterday's practice at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos pitch following their 5:41 a.m. arrival at the New Silay-Bacolod Airport.

On the other hand, Weiss said it's good that Borromeo and the Younghusband brothers had already joined the squad. "We have great expectations from them but we don't want to push them too much, so we need to find other ways to score," he explained.

Weiss also admitted that there are several players in Team B, who performed well and also deserve playing time.

According to team coordinating officer Patrick Ace Bright, two other Fil-foreign players are expected to suit up for the Azkals in next week's match.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, midfielder Ray Anthony Jónsson, Rob Gier and Jason de Jong are expected to arrive on February 6. (Jerome S. Galunan Jr.)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on January 31, 2011.