ANILA, Philippines - Stepping up on their preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup, the Philippine Azkals are eyeing international friendlies with 2010 runner-up Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos on the road in September and against Singapore in Cebu in November.
“There’s standing invite from Indonesia for us to visit them for a friendly on Sept. 15 and we’ve already sent them a letter asking if it is still a go,” Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta told The STAR yesterday.
The Azkals and the Indon Merah Putih had already slugged it out last June 5 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. The Indons then asked Phl for Round 2 in Jakarta.
“We are also verifying with Indonesia if we’ll still be invited to compete in the Merdeka (tournament) scheduled later, from Oct. 12-17,” Araneta said.
The PFF and Azkals management, he added, has already accepted an invitation from Cambodia to go to Phnom Penh for a gig on Sept. 7, while still deliberating on a proposal from Laos to head to Vientianne for a fixture two days later.
On Nov. 5, the Azkals want to host Singapore at the Cebu City Sports Center Football Field before embarking on the AFF Suzuki Cup group stage from Nov. 24-Dec. 1 in Bangkok.
“We’’re eyeing to hold it in Cebu because there’s a direct fly from Singapore to Cebu,” said Araneta, who’s still waiting for Singapore FA’s reply to their offer.
"Asian" Football Cup? lol. ASEAN Football Cup.
ReplyDeleteMerdeka Cup in INDONESIA? lol. Merdeka Cup is a MALAYSIAN tournament.
Way too over-scheduling it seems.
ReplyDeletei think the over-scheduling will slow down especially when they will have a poor performance at the Suzuki Cup (which I expect - probably 3rd or even 4th in the group)...so just relax.
Deletethe only problem is that with so many matches players could become seriously injured as they are not used to such a tight schedule (NT and UFL Cup)
Over scheduling is an understatement!! It's way over the top just to prepare for a regional tournament where we're not even favorites to get out of the group stage, let alone winning it!! It also shows that the national team is being run like a club!
DeleteDead right.....more money that should be going into the grassroots wasted. What's the use of team-building when half the real team is never there till matchday?
ReplyDeletei predicted 2 loses and a draw back in 2010 suzuki cup; I was wrong. I think I'd still go with that prediction this time. Hopefuly, I'm wrong again.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't we just be Filipinos and support our team instead of giving negative comments. At least something is being done for the Azkals to have a decent performance. I hope someday we can just unite and be one in our prayers and support..
ReplyDeleteGoody two-shoes alert.....
Deleteyeah its got louie encabo written all over it. why cant he just stay in that public cesspool known as usapang football?
Deletecriticizing the team is ok.. unless you wana be puppy dog azkal..
ReplyDeleteAng gagaling nyong magsalita. Ala naman maitulong. Puro criticize, puro critic. Mga kabayan, pala siguro kayo ng "mga crabs", pahila ang style nyo.
ReplyDeletePati sarili nyong NT, kahit sa ganitong forum ay hinihila nyo. Kung talaga suporter kayo punta kayo sa bawat laro ng NT o ano man football game kung may chance.
Ni dasal na lang ayaw nyo pa ibigay.
Mga utak alimasag kayo.
^^Another goody-two-shoes......... STFU!!!
DeleteIt's also so typical of dumb asses like you when you see people with strong opinions, it already means that they're obligated to do something. You and your BS of, "ala naman maitulong" or "eh kaw, ano nagawa mo" and all that type of BS!! So fucking idiotic its untrue!!
Utak alimasag?!?! Kaw naman walang utak!!!!!!!