16 February 2013

Azkals looking to play Hong Kong in friendly

By Karlo Sacamos


THE Philippine men’s football team is hoping to get a favorable response from Hong Kong with regards to plans for an international friendly as the Azkals step up their preparations for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers next month in Manila.
The Azkals, who stayed at 147th in the latest Fifa rankings released on Thursday, remain short of competition as their first and only friendly of the year came two weeks ago in a 1-0 victory over Myanmar in Yangon.
But the Filipino booters now look forward to a matchup with Hong Kong, which moved seven places up to 156th, a ranking which still belies the squad’s true stature.
“They’re quite a strong team now,” Azkals manager Dan Palami said of Hong Kong, which drew with Uzbekistan in an Asian qualifying tournament in the opponent’s home turf recently. “It speaks a lot about the quality of their team.”
A definite date and venue has yet been set but Palami, who is waiting for their potential opponent’s reply this week, is hoping that Hong Kong agrees to play in the country at the soonest possible time.
The relationship between Asian neighbors, however, has been rocky after a hostage crisis in Manila led to the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists in 2010.
Hong Kong declined the PFF’s invitation to play in the Philippine Football Peace Cup last September, a month after Hong Kong’s security bureau maintained its 'black' travel alert that discouraged its residents from traveling to the country.
“I think the scars were still fresh (regarding) the problem we had with some of their tourists before,” Palami said.
If plans don’t push through, Palami said the PFF is continually looking for friendlies against stronger teams, especially against Eastern-European countries “so that we could be more familiar with the Eastern-European football style.”
“I know it’s a long way for them so we’re not sure if they’ll accept the invitation,” Palami said. “But hopefully even just one (will accept) because I’m sure they also want to test their game against a Southeast Asian team.”
The Azkals are particularly preparing for Turkmenistan, the Eastern-European squad considered their toughest opponent in the Challenge Cup qualifiers from March 22 to 26 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Turkmenistan, ranked 121st in the world, denied the Filipinos a historic finals appearance in the 2012 edition of the Challenge Cup after it rallied from a one-goal deficit to stun the Azkals, 2-1, last March.

spin.ph

20 comments:

  1. Now Dan Palami should refrain from bringing up the Quirino Grand Stand massacre. He should leave that to the Dept of Foreign Affairs. If Hong Kong declains our invitation, then move on. Do not speculate in the media why such as the massacre of Hong Kong tourists. Good lord. He should really stay away from the media now.

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    1. It's been said many times before, Palami needs to learn to STFU!!

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    2. He is not qualified to speak about our foreign relations. Just stick to football, and stay out of politics. What a dick really.

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    3. There are somethings that you should not say about another country to the media. Our foreign diplomats should lambaste Palami now for this huge embarrassment.

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  2. forget hong kong. go for stronger opponents.

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    1. Hong Kong drew Uzbekistan away in Asian Cup qualifiers 10 days ago...

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    2. HK is a decent team, but the 0-0 result against UZB was just a pure luck. That happens every once in a while in football when a weak side successfully pull off a 10-0-0 strategy lol

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  3. Just a month until AFC Challenge Cup and no friendlies has been scheduled . No trainings , and players will be busy with with UFL league matches until March 21

    I dont think any Eastern European country will play Philippines on a non FIFA match day.

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  4. I guess Dan is dreaming too much again from being in the final of the AFC Challenge cup even before one minute in the qualifiers are played. If I see the "great" preperation for such an important tournament (the qualifiers on home turf) it makes me worry again. I am curious again what lame excuse they will find again if they will lose to Turkemistan (which can happen easily)....

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    1. Palami dreaming too much is an understatement!! Not just with the Challenge Cup but in general with regards to the national teams!

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    2. I bet you are not even half of the achievements of Palami.

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  5. If dan is like you, we wont be aanyy way near than where we are right now. He wont be a successful businessman if he doesnt know how to dream big. Continue hating losers.

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    1. Dont take it personally now. I just said that he should refrain from discussing politics such as the Quirino Grandstand Massacre. He can talk to the media if he wants, I have no problem with that. Just stay out of politics because he is not qualified to discuss such things.

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  6. Dreaming big one thing, while being realistic is another!! Don't mix the two up!!

    Fartlami however has become deluded!! Just look at what he said about the target for the SEA Games this year! He basically said that the aim is to already win a gold medal in football but instead said it's more "realistic" to win bronze instead!! What a fucking moron!! That's also just one example and part of the problem is too many people like to bow down and kiss his ass while taking everything he says as if it was a gospel!! You people need to get real!!!

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    1. shut up u crab

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    2. @Anonymous 17 February 2013 17:11

      Shut up you palami ass kisser!!!

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  7. turkmenistan is not eastern europe. they are from central asia.

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  8. Maybe there is such a thing as too much training for the NT. HongKong recently drew with Turkmenistan. Take a look at their training schedule before their qualifier against Vietnam on March 22.
    Two hours only every Tuesday on a local ground; nothing more.

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  9. Sorry for a random offtopic but where the hell is Angel Guirado now ?

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  10. Probably given it all up and is now a bartender in Barcelona.

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