The stage is set for the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games, which take place later this month featuring Bahrain's Olympic team and the Philippine senior men's national team, nicknamed the "Azkals".
The two sides will play a pair of friendly matches to highlight the event. The first will take place on July 16 at the National Stadium in Riffa, followed by the second on July 18 at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad. Both tune-up games are scheduled to kick off at 7pm, with gates opening at 5pm.
The Games are taking place through the joint efforts of the Bahrain Football Association and the Philippine Football Federation, in co-operation with Creator Marketing Consultancy who are the organisers.
AMA International University Bahrain are the event's major sponsors. The Philippine national team are scheduled to arrive in the kingdom on July 13. Along with the two matches, the players, who have reached celebrity status in the Philippines, are expected to take part in some events with the Filipino community. The full programme of the "Azkals" will be revealed soon.
"This is a very big event, not only for the Filipinos but we also hope for all Bahrainis," head of the organising committee at Creator Marketing Consultancy, Edith Fuentes, told the GDN.
Bahrain's Olympic team will be using the friendly matches to help them prepare for their upcoming campaign in the main round of Asian qualifying for next year's London Olympic Games.
Secured
The "Azkals", meanwhile, secured a 5-1 aggregate victory yesterday against Sri Lanka to secure their place in the second round of continental qualification for the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
Tickets for the event are now available. They cost BD1 apiece for each game.
Tickets can be purchased at Andalus Garden on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays leading up to the matches, as well as at Kowloon Restaurant, Kempura Restaurant, Lolita's Bakery, Joni's Bakery, Electronics World, Impressions Beauty Salon and Spa, Bahay Kubo Restaurant, Chuckay Restaurant, Zen's Flowers, Philippine Friend Restaurant and at the match venues.
Further, organisers have arranged for a bus service that will take fans to the match venues on both game dates. The buses will be stationed at Bab Al Bahrain, and they transport supporters to the National Stadium as well as to the Muharraq Club stadium, free of charge.
For inquiries, ticket reservations or further information on the bus services, call 37768683, 39297464, 36271121, 36064822, 36598588, 39678323 or 39678313, or call Creator Marketing Consultancy office on 17212682.
Gulf Daily News
For sure Bahrain Olympic team will be a good test for the Azkals (even we won't have out best squad there). Too bad that we were drawn to battle vs. Kuwait. When I see that Thailand or Singapore had also been possible opponents.....and those SEA teams would be beatable to add another historic moment in Filipino football. But I guess (if i am realistic) Kuwait is still yet one number too big for us......but who knows? Maybe they will have a bad day and we can keep the result narrow.....and with a little miracle all is possible.....Go Azkals
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what type of squad will be traveling for these matches in Bahrain. It will definitely be a weakened squad for sure.
ReplyDeleteKuwait is without a doubt a very strong team - perhaps (please correct me if I'm wrong) the highest ranked team we've faced in the last 10-15 years. Playing in front of their home crowd will ignite them to play inspired football. They're going to go all out and show their superior football.
ReplyDeleteHowever, they're facing a team with gaining confidence, a team that is getting stronger each and after our games. If we can set the rhythm of the game from the beginning, play excellent defense and take advantage of our opportunities, we have a chance to either tie or pull off an upset.
Playing Bahrain's team will give us an idea of how strong Kuwait is since they're similarly ranked.
And even though we're playing in Kuwait, we can expect a large contingent of Filipinos to show up and cheering loudly.
GO AZKALS! BEAT KUWAIT!
"Kuwait is without a doubt a very strong team - perhaps (please correct me if I'm wrong) the highest ranked team we've faced in the last 10-15 years."
ReplyDeleteHighest ranked team when? Highest ranked now? 10 years ago? 15 years ago?
If you cannot understand a simple statement (the highest ranked team we've faced in the last 10-15 years), then I cannot help you.
ReplyDeleteShut up and quit being a smart ass!! If it's so simple then why can't you figure it out yourself, idiot!! You're the smart ass right?!?!
ReplyDeleteLook, Kuwait is one of the highest ranked teams we've faced. But again that's subjective as you aren't clear on which ranking you're basing that on. Is it Kuwait's rank now versus another country's ranking say 10 years ago? You're not clear! And yet you come back with BS of, "If you cannot understand a simple statement....."
How about this then... We played Thailand in 1999 SEA Games and if you take a look at their ranking history, they were ranked 78 at that time. Although I haven't done a thorough check on others, that's highest ranked team we've faced in the last 15 years! Good enough for you, TheMyth aka TheSmartAss??
One is for sure: Kuwait is a powerhouse in Asian football and they can compete with the best teams in Asia on a good day which we are not yet able to do at the moment. I guess every team from SEA would have a hard time to play aginst them and lose...so no problem if we can't make it to the next round. Just fight hard and make a good result (narrow as possible). On the other hand history proves that on a bad they they can also lose vs. weaker teams like Vietnam and Thailand proved some years ago. So our chances aren't zero, just depends if we don't get a fast goal and have a solid defense with fast counter attacks as well. Too bad we can't have our best squad in Kuwait due to the suspension of Schrock and Borromeo.
ReplyDeleteGo Azkals go
ReplyDelete