30 November 2011

Azkals coach wants huge turnout for LA Galaxy game

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Azkals coach Michael Weiss is hoping that Filipino football fans will come in droves to watch the team play against the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup champions Los Angeles Galaxy on December 3 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

It will be the last match that the Azkals will play for the year, and Weiss is hoping it will be a good send-off for the PH XI.

"I hope that we will send a clear signal, and a good bye for the fans," Weiss said. "I hope they will come in masses. I hope the stadium will be sold out."

Tickets to the Azkals-LA Galaxy game cost P2000 to P15,000, but the United Football League (UFL) is giving UFL fans a 35% discount on all tickets.

Fans who still want to buy tickets to the game can give the code #6987 when buying at Ticketworld outlets. The discount is not available when buying online.

Weiss said they are expecting the LA Galaxy to be "strong opponents" even though the team will be coming from another friendly in Indonesia.

"They are tired from the long trip. I'm sure they're taking it a little bit easier but they will play with all their experience," Weiss said. "It will be an interesting game to watch."

The LA Galaxy, led by David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan, will play their friendly against an Indonesian team tonight. They are set to arrive in the country tomorrow.

Challenge Cup

Weiss is planning to use the game as an opportunity to evaluate the players who may participate in next year's AFC Challenge Cup.

"This game is a test on a comparatively high level. We can see the Younghusbands (Phil and James) and the defenders who are coming in new, how they will perform at this level," Weiss said.

"I expect the players to show who is ready for the Challenge Cup next year," he added.

The Azkals will be without key players, however, including goal keepers Neil Etheridge and Roland Mueller, who are still playing with their clubs in Europe.

The national team will be bannered by mainstays Phil and James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta.

Football fans can also watch the LA Galaxy's practice session on Friday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with ticket prices ranging from P1500 to P3000. -- With a report by Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

6 comments:

  1. Weiss : " I hope they will come in masses. I hope the stadium will be sold out."

    No, I dont think it will be sold out , i think it will be less people than at the Nepal friendly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. According to the organizers ticket sales have picked up since the announcement of the discount. They said its moving at P1000000 per hour. At that rate, tix should be sold out by now eh?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Checking ticketworld website now . No price categories are sold out , I could buy 10 tickets of any price categories.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hope we could fill at least 75% of the capacity in the hope that other clubs will generate interest to play us in the future. It will be the barometer. Support all we can na laang!

    ReplyDelete
  5. "It will be the barometer."

    Not quite, perhaps only to a certain extent. If we really want to attract more high profile teams then we're gonna need a new stadium. Can't expect to attract potential with such crap facilities.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It will just be a barometer on how much filipinos are willing to pay to watch a Azkals match.

    ReplyDelete