Kanto U routs shivery Azkals

Cedelf P. Tupas


Philippine football team manager Dan Palami yesterday allayed concerns the Azkals will find difficulty dealing with the sub-zero weather in Ulan Bator when they play Mongolia for the second leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying series on March 15.

Returning to Manila after observing the team’s training in the Japanese city of Gotemba the past three days, Palami took the 4-0 drubbing absorbed by the Azkals to Kanto University team Wednesday in stride, saying it’s only a matter of time before the national side gets to adjust to the weather.

“I think it will take one or two more days for them to finally get used to the cold,” said Palami in a phone interview with the Inquirer.

Palami said the Azkals trained at temperatures ranging from zero to five degrees. The average temperature in Ulan Bator yesterday was zero degree.

“The cold really took a toll on the player’s bodies,” Palami said. “It’s a good thing we were able to go to Japan this week. It will go a long way in our preparations.”

Palami’s return came a day after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. approved the release of a P2-million grant for the Azkals’ campaign in the Challenge Cup.

The information was relayed to the Inquirer by Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.

Among the most affected by the cold weather were Ian Araneta and Chieffy Caligdong, whose mobility, according to Palami, was limited.

Caligdong opened the scoring in the Azkals’ 2-nil victory over the Mongolians in the first leg in Bacolod City last Feb. 9.

Phil Younghusband, the scorer of the second goal, appears to be the most comfortable with the Japanese weather.
“He’s playing better,” Palami said of Younghusband, who has scored 13 goals for the country.

Palami said the challenge is also with the coaching staff headed by German Hans Michael Weiss to remove the “mental block” of playing in the cold weather.

Still, Palami is confident that the Azkals will overcome the Mongolians. “I think we have a good chance against Mongolia,” he added.

inquirer.net