PH loses appeal to let 2 Azkals play

MANILA, Philippines – FIFA, football's world governing body, has denied the Philippine Football Federation's (PFF) appeal to lift the 1-game suspension on 2 key Azkals, Aly Borromeo and Stephan Schrock.

The decision is seen to hurt the Philippine Azkals' away game on Saturday in Kuwait.

“We will be playing the 1st leg without Schrocky and Aly,” Azkals team manager Dan Palami said via his Twitter account.

The team was hoping that FIFA would heed PFF's appeal, especially after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) endorsed the petition to rescind the suspensions on Borromeo and Schrock.

Borromeo and Schrock were suspended for 1 game after each of them incurred 2 yellow cards during the 1st round qualifier between the Philippine Azkals and the Sri Lankan Brave Reds.

The two Azkals played major roles in the Azkals’ 5-1 aggregate victory against Sri Lanka in Manila.

Borromeo was a big part in the Azkals’ defensive scheme while Schrock was instrumental in providing scoring opportunities for his team mates.

Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss, however, remains hopeful of their chances against the higher-ranked Kuwait on Saturday.

"We are underdogs in many aspects, but the team [members] are on their top form, and we will strive to defy the odds," he said in FIFA.com.

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