Azkals to face UFL All-Stars in a friendly match Sunday

By Cedelf P. Tupas


MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine national football team gets to gauge its progress in its preparation for the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifying when it takes on the United Football League All-Stars on Sunday in a friendly at the University of Makati pitch.

It will be the last test match for the Azkals before they leave for Duren, Germany, on June 12 for a two-week training camp as part of their buildup for their first-round qualifying match against Sri Lanka on June 29.

Some of the Azkals based abroad are expected to play in the friendly, including starting goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, midfielder Simon Greatwich and defender Jason Sabio, who will join regulars like Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario and Chieffy Caligdong.

The Azkals return to Manila on Tuesday to resume training at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, after a five-day camp in Cebu.

Meanwhile, the UFL title match between Air Force Rider and Global Smartmatic was reset to Wednesday night after rains rendered the UMak pitch unplayable Sunday night.

Army Fritz and Macziol IBM and Kaya Cignal battled to a 2-2 stalemate in an ill-tempered match that saw four players ejected, while Loyola Meralco Sparks overwhelmed Green Archers Orient Freight, 5-2.

Army locked up third place after increasing its output to 20 points, while Kaya dropped to fifth with 14 points, although it still has a remaining game.

The Sparks, who drew four second-half goals from Mark Hartmann to rally from a two-goal deficit, finished the season with 15 points to secure at least a fifth-place finish.


Inquirer.net