Azkals Leave For Challenge Cup

By JONAS TERRADO


MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Azkals left Friday for Kathmandu, Nepal, a week before the start of their AFC Challenge Cup campaign.

Despite uncertainties over their final lineup, the Azkals are hoping to use the extra week in the Nepalese capital to enhance their bid to enter the semifinals of this biennial event.

Leading the team are brothers Phil and James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Angel and Juan Luis Guirado, Lexton Moy, Nate Burkey and Ian Araneta, among others.

Keeper Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Roland Muller and Dennis Cagara are not sure if they could make it since they all have commitments to their teams abroad.

The Challenge Cup begins on Mar. 9 with the Azkals facing reigning champion North Korea.

After that match, the Filipinos will take on 2008 champion India on the 11th before wrapping up their group stage campaign against 2006 winners Tajikistan. All matches are slated at 5 p.m. Manila time.

North Korea and Tajikistan forged a 1-all tie in their World Cup qualifying match at the 20 Years of Independence Stadium in Khujand, Tajikistan on Wednesday. The two teams will likely field the same teams for the Challenge Cup.

As for India, it is facing roster dilemmas like the Azkals.

But unlike the latter, the Indians are reportedly decimated by injuries and remain unsure of their final lineup.

Indian newspaper The National said midfielders Rocas Lamare, Clifford Miranda, Baldeep Singh and the defender Arnab Mondal are still recovering from various injuries thus forcing coach Savio Medeira to look for possible replacements


Manila Bulletin