By Cedelf P. Tupas
MANILA—The Long Teng Cup may not be as prestigious as the Suzuki Cup, but national team manager Dan Palami said there won’t be any letup for the Azkals when they vie in the four-nation tournament in Taiwan.
The Azkals have started preparing for the tournament last week with Fil-German goalkeeper Roland Mueller among the notable additions to the training pool.
The Azkals are also slated to hold a weeklong training camp in Bacolod starting September 8. They will play three exhibition matches during the camp, including against national club champion Global FC at the Panaad Stadium.
“This is our best chance to win a tournament,” said Palami of their chances in the Long Teng Cup.
The Azkals wound up third in last year’s tournament, which they used as a warmup for the biennial Suzuki Cup Asean Football Championship. The semifinal finish in the 10-nation Suzuki Cup paved the way for the Azkals rise to prominence.
“We will try to balance with putting up a strong team and at the same time give exposure to our young players,” said Palami.
Hong Kong looks serious in its title defense as it is reportedly sending its senior squad in the tournament won last year by its Under-23 squad. Chinese-Taipei and Macau are also vying in the tournament.
Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock and Rob Gier will be among the notable absentees for the Azkals in Taiwan as they are focused on their commitments in Europe.
Etheridge is the second-choice keeper at Fulham and hopes to make his English Premiere League debut this season.
Manny Ott is also doubtful to make the Long Teng Cup squad as he is still awaiting clearance from his club, Ingolstadt II.
“We want to maintain good relationships with the clubs of our players so if the tournament is not that important, we would rather not force them to be released,” said Palami.
Mueller, who returned to Germany yesterday, will rejoin the Azkals on Sept. 25, a few days before the Azkals leave for the September 28 to October 4 tournament.
Palami also told the Inquirer that a Fil-Spanish defender Carlie Olaivar De Murga is arriving on Monday to train with the Azkals.
The 22-year-old De Murga, who was recommended to the team by Fil-Spanish striker Angel Aldeguer, plays for Racing Club Portuense in the Spanish third division.
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2 days ago
It's doubtful that the Azkals will win the tournament with so many key players missing (Schrock, Mulders, Etheridge, Gier etc.). Taiwan did an excellent performance vs. Malaysia and if Hongkong really sends it's senior team then it is also a big challenge. Probably again a third place ??
ReplyDeleteagreed about third place. at a push maybe second but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteThird place in a low-level tournament of only 4 teams? We'd better do better than that or stop kidding ourselves the Azkals are ready to move upwards.
ReplyDeleteYou need to stop kidding yourself and quit thinking that the Philippines is already a top tier Asian footballing nation.
ReplyDeleteHong Kong are sending their full national team. Chinese Taipei obviously will field their full national team and they've improved even further as well. The only weak team in this tournament is Macau. At the same time, it's not like we're gonna have a full strength team. So it looks like third place is where we'll most likely end up. Maybe second at a push.
So if this is as good as it gets why has so much precious time and money been spent training a team that's not going to deliver? Palami has already scoured the football world for fil-for talent and it's unlikely any new real quality will be arriving soon. Far better all resources are now concentrated on homegrown hopes.
ReplyDelete