The jubilant Philippine Azkals will have a new "home" fit for their heroic efforts when the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium undergoes a major facelift later this year.
As they press their bid to host the next AFC Challenge Cup – where the Azkals finished at a historic third place – and more international friendlies, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) entered into an agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to dress up the current home of the Azkals with a world-class artificial turf.
In addition, they will renovate the facilities that will include a bigger dugout for players, additional seating capacity and a media lounge.
"FIFA representatives have already inspected the Rizal pitch and the renovation is scheduled to take place after the FIFA Friendlies in June," said PFF President Mariano "Nonong" Araneta.
The Rizal pitch will host an international rugby tournament this summer before it will be closed to let the field rest for the friendlies in June, where the federation is expecting a complete national squad in those FIFA match dates.
The PFF is arranging to have ASEAN rivals, possibly Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, play the Azkals in the early weeks running up to the country's Independence Day as part of the squad's buildup for the AFF Suzuki Cup in December.
It can be recalled that the Azkals lost their rights to a home match in the Suzuki Cup semis last year against Indonesia due to the lack of a playing venue that met FIFA standards.
After the friendlies, the major facelift will get underway and is expected to be completed in two to three months.
philstar
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UEFA champions league finals, EURO and World Cup are all played on grass. There's nothing like real grass. Realistically though, we don't have that many fields yet in the country, so the grass gets overworked by the UFL since they all play in the just 2-4 venues. Not every team has it's own stadium yet. So I think a turfed out Rizal is good idea for now since it will help football grow. But I do hope that our national stadium goes back to a grass pitch in the future when there are other venues available
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea. Pati UMAK convert nyo na rin. Marami pa namang Stadium na grass.
ReplyDeletePlease try to look the other options like Mindanao area.. not only in Manila - Luzon or Visayas...When you have a plan for more progress in Football its better if you can provide the long term program nationwide for any constructions (if any ) of Football stadium with FIFA standard...
ReplyDeleteSo that you may have a permanent home (football field ) at least 30,000 capacity or more for the AZKALS - Mindanao, AZKALS Visayas and AZKALS -GMA area.,
It should be NATIONWIDE ....Mindanao area is also part of the Philippines
REQUEST lang ...Thank you...
Do you know how to read or comprehend?!?! They're planning to RENOVATE not BUILD a new stadium! And what the hell is "azkals Visayas"! and "azkals Mindanao"?!?! lol!!!!
Deletec'mon boy, its a "TAG" I didn't to separate the AZKALS., its a matter of game/play schedules nationwide...
DeleteWhy? is there any possibility that we can build our own Football stadium base on FIFA standard?
Visayas and Mindanao are not crowded area or city.,
Renovate? agreed no questions about that., fine
its a request boy., ok?
Thank you...
KAHOLERO... Middle East
Don't "c'mon boy" me like you're some superior being!!
Delete"TAG"!?!? Idiotic! Just says "Visayas" or "Mindanao". It makes you seem really stupid otherwise!!
Request?!?! Wrong place, BOY!!! LOL!!
just make one in luzon one in visayas and one in mindanao
ReplyDeleteMake a 90 thousand seater in tawi tawi. That should make Mindanao happy.
ReplyDeletecommon sense., don't make us ignorant please we are one nation in one common purpose to make Philippine Football progress in some key cities...
DeleteThank you ...KAHOLERO ....LOL...
good that they will renovate the Rizal Memorial Stadium so the capacity of it can be increased as well. Artificial turf is ok (especially if so many matches are played there and the climate with it heavy rain falls), but there's nothing better than real grass.....why they are not trying to make more pitches/small stadiums available for the UFL league and just use the Rizal Memorial (with real grass) for the important matches? I mean it's quite poor that Metro Manila has just 4 places to offer where the UFL matches can take place.......sure I know that money is a big factor, but at least they should start it slowly but surely.
ReplyDeleteCaution with turf though, it has a dif bounce and roll compare to grass. It is generally slower and that might cause probs with our Azkals when they compete internationally on a grass pitch. I think they should just leave the grass pitch and maintain it well. Build a new turf pitch just as the original plan that the UFL can also benefit. I just think that our Home pitch should be on a proper playing surface of grass as it is what's widely used globally. What do you think?
ReplyDeletei also think that our national Home pitch should have a real grass surface. It should be used for special events only and not every week for numerous matches in the UFL which destroys the grass surface that it could hardly be maintained anymore
DeleteI'm glad they're renovating the RMS. It will be better for Philippine Football. I know football in the Philippines is now becoming more and more popular and a lot of Azkals fans want to see their matches, and a higher sitting capacity football stadium is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the artificial turf, I'm quite concerned. Our Azkal boys are not used in playing on artificial grass. But considering also the Singapore Cup, which was held in Singapore this May, the Loyola Meralco Sparks played on an artificial turf and they won. So if the LMSFC have done it, what about our Azkals, right? Well, that's just my opinion..
I hope this project will turn out well,, In God's name...
Does anyone of the commentors who's against this project already played in an artificial grass? pathetic
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas and your knowledge is very creative. You have good defined the Artificial Grass, it has more benefit than natural grass. It is a viable and cost-effective alternative to managing a traditional lawn. I have been following your blog for a long time and I find many useful info for my web. Pls take a look at my web and let me know if we can help each other.
ReplyDeleteArtificial Turf Prices