Philippine men’s football team coach Michael Weiss is targeting at least one more friendly in the middle of March as a major part of the Azkals’ preparations for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup Group E Qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Stadium next month.
Expressing doubts that the Azkals can play a friendly sooner considering a scheduling conflict with the United Football League, the German mentor instead hopes the Philippine Football Federation can still organize one friendly on March 15 “or around this date when the Guirados (Angel and Juani) and Rob Gier will already be there.”
“For me, it’s very difficult because on the date we could play together, there’s also big league matches in the Philippines so I already can anticipate that many of the players will not be available,” Weiss told Spin.ph on Tuesday during halftime of the UFL game between Global FC and Green Archers United at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig.
The UFL earlier renewed its support for the Azkals by saying it will have a break from March 22 to 30 to give way to Challenge Cup qualifiers that run from March 22 to 26 as well as the Holy Week.
But league officials said clubs won’t be required to release players for national team camps abroad, although they are required to release their players called up for the Challenge Cup tournament itself.
“I can only hope we still have one (friendly) game,” said Weiss, who recently came to terms with the PFF on a six-month contract extension. “If not, we’ll take it as it is and prepare as much as we can in the short period of time we have.”
From now until his preferred friendly date, Weiss said the Azkals will train during weekends in the country.
From then, a complete Azkals lineup is expected to be available and train for six straight days before playing their first game against Brunei.
Meanwhile, Weiss also said that prized midfielder Stephan Schrock has confirmed his availability for the Challenge Cup.
Azkals manager Dan Palami confirmed the development “but until they’re here, I always keep my fingers crossed.”
It was understandable after Neil Etheridge declared himself available for the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup last year only for the Azkals’ first-choice goalkeeper to be recalled at the last minute by professional club Fulham from his loan to fourth-tier side Bristol Rovers.
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would be great bto see Schrock again on the pitch. Any update about Javier Patino? Will he be available as well in the challenge cup qualifiers?
ReplyDeleteIn principle, Patino or whoever should be available, because it's official fifa match day, but everything is not always that simple. Patino is now playing for Xerez CD on loan and they are extremely desperate to get out of the relegation zone, and Xerez have a match at Mar 25. Plus, Patino hasn't been impressive so far this season, which is why he got loaned out from Cordoba, so he has to prove himself in Xerez that he's still worthy of Segunda A level for his future career. All considered, i say we don't really have to expect him to join us this time. It's all up to his decision, and we gotta respect that.
DeleteSchrock on the other hand seems to have no particular reason not to join us. Hoffenheim has no official match during Mar 17 and Mar 29, and Schrock is not the club's first option at his position and he actually hasn't been capped for 2 months. So i think he should join this time, only unless he gets some private issues.
Ignore comment above. Seems Patino will join.
Deletehttp://ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/thepassionatefan/chat-newest-azkal-javier-pati%C3%B1o-071922588.html
The newest Azkal says his club supports him being called up to the team and that they could even let him play even when games don't fall on FIFA International matchdays.
Patiño is due back on March 19, three days before the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers begin. The Azkals face Brunei, Cambodia, and Turkmenistan
on March 15 “or around this date when the Guirados (Angel and Juani) and Rob Gier will already be there.”
ReplyDeleteSo where is Angel ? Why doesn't he come back to UFL if he can't find a club outside ?
Maybe he doesn't want to go back to the shitty ufl?? Better to hold out for a move to some other league than settle for playing in the shitty ufl.
DeleteGuirado is rumored to be in Jiangsu Sainty FC in China. WTF you guys smokin hehe
ReplyDeleteThat rumor was just a rumor out of nowhere. I heard that last december and nothing happened.
DeleteAngel Guirado tweeted this week from Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain , he was with his girlfriend...
ReplyDeleteNice
ReplyDelete