World Cup long way to go for Azkals – del Rosario

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Azkals defender Anton del Rosario says the Philippine national football team still has a long way to go before it can participate in the World Cup.

"The World Cup is a far cry. You gotta take steps to becoming one of the top teams in the world," del Rosario said in an interview with ANC's Headstart.

Del Rosario said only the top 32 teams in the world get to participate in the World Cup, and the Azkals currently rank 162nd in the world.

"To be able to make the top 32 teams, while still ranked at 160... like I said, it's a far cry," del Rosario said.

But he adds that the national team has already improved by leaps and bounds.

"We were ranked around 180 to 190 before, around December of last year. And now we’re down to 150, 160," del Rosario said.

"We're working on it, we've taken major steps. The team is looking very good," he adds.

Del Rosario also shot down allegations that there is a rivalry between the full-bred Filipinos and half-Filipinos in the team.

"I wouldn't go that far. We're a very tight-knit team, and there's really no competition between us," he said.

Del Rosario said that full Filipino players, including Azkals co-captain Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta, received their share off publicity.

"It goes to the people who have put in the time with the team," he said.

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