Away friendly against Malaysia to kickstart crucial year for PH Azkals

• From: Karlo Sacamos

THE Philippine men’s football team kicks off a crucial year with an international friendly against Malaysia on March 1 at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium in Kula Lumpur.
The Azkals will use the Fifa-sanctioned friendly, confirmed by the Philippine Football Federation, to jumpstart preparations for the Asia Football Confederation Challenge Cup in May when they will vie for top honors and a ticket to the more prestigious AFC Asian Cup next year.
Coming off an impressive year where they topped Group E of the Challenge Cup qualifiers and defended the Philippine Peace Cup title, the Filipino booters are now ranked 127^th out of 209 footballing nations in the world.
It will be the 16^th meeting between the Philippines and Malaysia since 1962, with the Azkals gunning for only their second win after losing 11 times and settling for a draw thrice.
Now in search of a new coach following the dismissal of German mentor Michael Weiss, the Azkals actually start their 2014 campaign with a charity match against an Asean All-Star selection in February.
The Filipinos will also participate in a tournament in Pakistan, then have friendlies in Dubai and Qatar, embark on a training camp possibly in Europe before flying to Maldives for the Challenge Cup.
The Azkals cap off the year with a stint in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, the tournament that started the Azkals phenomenon in 2010.

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