Philippine Daily Inquirer
ADMITTEDLY not at the level to be
competitive against a top caliber side from Europe, the Philippines begged off
from facing formidable Hungary in a friendly that was supposed to be played in
Dubai in February.
National team manager Dan Palami revealed
that there was indeed an invitation from Dubai-based promoters for the Azkals to
play
against
the Hungarians on the next international friendly date on Feb. 6.
against
the Hungarians on the next international friendly date on Feb. 6.
“It’s flattering and a great opportunity
to get an offer to play against a strong European team, but we’re not at their
level yet,” said Palami, pointing out that Hungary is positioned more than a 100
places higher than the Azkals at No. 32 in the world rankings.
“It could be counterproductive for the
camp that we will be holding in the Middle East. We want to build cohesion and
gain confidence and it might be difficult to do that if we face Hungary,” said
Palami.
The Azkals are still in search for an
opponent on the friendly date as part of their camp in the Middle East in
preparation for the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers.
Azerbaijan was also a possible foe for the
Azkals in a friendly, but the European country opted to face Liechtenstein
instead.
Palami wants to play against minor teams ONLY. Like Guam and Macau. LOL!
ReplyDeletei had to shake my head. i cant believe this. so if england invites us to a friendly, he will decline it too?
ReplyDeleteI agree. A friendly match with Hungary could have shown the country how we really stand in the world stage. If the Azkals want to act like big dogs they have to practice and play with the big dogs. If the goal is to dominate the ASEAN region in the next few years, the team must practice and play with teams better than their ASEAN counterparts. I think its wasted opportunity. What a shame!
ReplyDeleteA friendly with Hungary would have been a good chance for the Philippines to go up the FIFA World Rankings. Hey isnt this one of their goals? To improve their rankings? If Palami only wants to play against Macau, Guam and East Timor it will take decades to reach his target. Not that rankings are important, but I only brought it up because Palami stated in previous interviews that one of their objectives is improving the country's world rankings. I say what a wasted opportunity.
ReplyDeletedumbasses. they want to train the team not lead them to an obvious massacre. hungary is way over our level as of now
ReplyDeleteHold ur horses guys. If we play hungary, it would be like boom boom bautista fighting donaire. No match
ReplyDeleteOh shut up. Hungary would have most likely fielded a reserve team or a team with homegrown players only. Many european countries do that during the winter. Specially scandinavian teams send their NTs consisted of players from their local top leagues to play in Asia or Africa. Last year they went to play Thailand. The thais arent afraid of playing against teams that are ranked in the top 40. Why should the azkals be afraid? Well, its coz Palami wants to play against minor teams which are sure wins for the azkals. They want the pogi points and climb the rankings. Besides that, its on a fifa date, which lets us field our strongest team.
ReplyDeleteThey could field their U21's for all I care, it'd still be a good test for us!
ReplyDeleteBut this is what you get when the main financier of the team is also the fucking team manager and head of the fucking national teams committee!! One fucking person being in charge of so many things, whatever he wishes he gets!! Fucking crazy!!
This is also why we need a new team manager! If he wants to continue to back the team financially or whatever, fine! Just stay away as team manager and whatever else! You don't see MVP appointing himself team manager of the national basketball team and making decisions left, right and center whenever he pleases!
Why do so many still have this crazy idea that
ReplyDeleteplaying a far stronger team is good for a weaker one? The guys on the park are far too busy doing their own thing to get anything out of it other than an inferiority complex.
ASEAN teams will improve a lot quicker and a lot cheaper if they just watch repeated video playbacks/rewinds of each game they play,with a wise coach highlighting the good and the bad of each individual and team play as a whole.
Fancy trips to the Middle East are for rich tourists only.
PFSA and Azkals Eu STATEMENT:
ReplyDeleteCorrect would be AZKALS Philippines afraid and or unready to play Hungary .
Registered Azkals EU are ready to play a FRIENDLY versus HUNGARY .. and AZKALS EU are NOT AFRAID!
Azkals Eu have 49 registered players. ( from YOUTH until SENIORS ) :)
Azkals U19 just was on winning course vs Bundesliga STUTTGART club but lost dru a lucky punch 3 seconds before Time off. TH Azkals EU were leading Azkals EU were NOT AFRAID playing BUNDESLIGA club .. who is maybe on same level as HUNGARY NT :)
what the hell are you talking about paul?
DeleteLOL!
Deletei agree ....a wasted chance to play a good european team....even they wouldn't field their strongest squad it would be a good test for us to show us all our weak points clear....hope they won't regret it ....i mean if Palami refuses more invitations or requests the more they won't get some offers anymore.....to play always the same teams sucks and it makes no sense to play always guam, hongkong or a likes
ReplyDeleteTime Out!!! Jonny we are getting off the track here...
ReplyDeleteyes... keep to the topic in the article please.
DeleteAnyway fifa.com got Hungary - Belarus in Budapest for 6. Feb , so why did Philippines get a offer to play Hungary in Dubai ?
FROM HOTDOGSTAND :
ReplyDeletehttp://thehotdogstand.net/featured/dan-palami-and-the-azkals-hungary-friendly-match/
Asean Football Federation
ReplyDeleteBANGKOK (10 Jan 2013) – The FA of Thailand (FAT) will host the historic Thai King’s Cup in the northern city of Chiangmai later this year. The event is slated for 23-26 January with Finland, Sweden and DPR Korea taking part.
By:Asean Football fanpage
KUALA LUMPUR (10 Jan 2013) – The friendly match against Iraq is just the beginning for the FA of Malaysia (FAM) as they have lined up other matches as part of their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers which begins next month. Malaysia have …
ReplyDeleteIraq Test Just the Beginning for Malaysia
andyan na naman si "hotdog is standing"
ReplyDeletedont kid yourself, history is very important.
ReplyDelete