PH Azkals to play German teams

by Peter Atencio

THE Philippine Azkals national football team will play a series of tune-up games against second division teams in the Bundesliga league in Germany.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. said coach Hans Michael Weiss has already made arrangements with the German Football Association that will have the Azkals playing a series of friendly games against five German club teams.

“As far as the team is concerned, they are ready. And they will be more ready after they play a series of tuneup games against teams in the Bundesliga,” said Araneta.

The PFF chief made an ocular inspection of the Rizal Football Stadium early this week, accompanied by Commissioner Chito Loyzaga of the Philippine Sports Commission.

The Azkals began practicing at the pitch of the Alabang Country Club, and will resume practice at the newly refurbished Rizal Memorial pitch by Monday.

Afterwards, the Azkals will fly to Iloilo and Cebu for more tune-up games until the last week of May.

They then leave for Germany on June 12 for a two-week training camp.

The team meets Sri Lanka in a two-leg qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup at Sri Lanka on June 29, and then at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on July 3.

Team captains Aly Borromeo and Chieffy Caligdong, Anton del Rosario, Yanti Bersales and the rest of the pool of the men’s team have rejoined the team after conducting a series of tryouts for Fil-American booters in the United States.

Striker Ian Araneta is also expected to return to action after recovering from a groin injury, along with Phil and James Younghusand, who are attending to other commitments.

Filipino-British Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who recently signed a contract extension with Fulham Football Club in the English premier league, is also expected to be back with the Azkals.

A total of five aspirants are seeking spots in the team, namely, ex-Azkal booter and Filipino-British Chad Gould, Filipino-Australian Leigh Gunn, Fil-Americans Jose Porteira and Neil Ignacio and 6’4” Fil-Swedish Gustav Sjoberg.

Manila Standard Today