AZKALS' NATIONAL TEAM TO PLAY THREE FRIENDLIES IN THE UAE

They may be ranked a lowly 159 in the FIFA world rankings, but the Philippines national team are set to cause quite a stir in the UAE after it was confirmed they are heading to Dubai next month.

With an estimated 500,000 Filipinos residing in the Emirates the arrival of the 'Azkals' on February 5 for an 11 day training camp and three friendly matches is sure to generate plenty of interest.

The country's top players including Stefan Schrock and Manuel Ott who ply their trade in Germany, Paul Mulders of ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands and goalkeeping prospect Neil Etheridge of English Premier League outfit Fulham are all expected to be one show.

Their first friendly, which will see them pit their wits against reigning Serbian SuperLiga champions Partizan Belgrade, will be held in Abu Dhabi February 6 (7.30pm kick-off), while Dubai and possibly Sharjah or Al Ain will also play host to the 'Azkals'.

The training camp will be used by Philippines coach Michael Weiss to fine tune preparations ahead of the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup which kicks off on March 8 in Nepal.

"We very much look forward to the test of the high level of football which is now coming out of the Middle East and fast becoming attractive to the Europeans," said Weiss. "As a developing nation it’s important to get this experience.

He added: "It’s a great opportunity to get everyone together ahead of the AFC Challenge Cup where we hope to at least reach the semi-finals. Dubai is a great place to visit; I’ve been a couple of times in the last year and have friends at the UAE FA so know how far football has come in those parts. In February, the temperature will be nice and we are eager and happy to meet the Filipino community there."

After the recent devastation caused by monsoons in the southern Philippines the coach understands firsthand the positive effect football can have on the Filipino people. "We played in a charity game this week (January 7) for the victims of the disaster and 10,000 people packed the stands. It’s crazy how passionate the people are and it’s a rapidly growing market. Many people don’t have very much but they are happy with what they do have and the players are local heroes. Even when we lose they’re happy with the effort the players make. But on a professional level, I want to win."

With three exciting friendly games to be announced shortly, Eric Gottschalk, the CEO of organizers MEDIAPRO Middle East, said: "It will be an opportunity for the Filipino community based in the UAE to come together and celebrate their national pride. The pricing structure of the games is designed in order to make the games accessible to everyone and help create a real party atmosphere with ticket prices starting as low as AED 50.00."

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