Azkals face Blue Wolves
BACOLOD—It’s the Azkals vs. the Blue Wolves.
Months of waiting are finally over for the Philippine Azkals as they take to the Panaad Park and Stadium today to take on the unknown Mongolia, who sports the moniker the Blue Wolves, in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers.
“The team had a fantastic experience in Indonesia and Vietnam (in the Suzuki Cup) and now they finally get the chance at playing at home,” German coach Hans Michael Weiss said during the pre-match press conference yesterday. “This is the biggest match in Philippine football history.”
The team failed to play their home game in the AFF Suzuki Cup quarterfinals in Bacolod because AFF officials said Panaad did not pass the standards.
Weiss and the Azkals have been in Bacolod since Jan. 26, but the team only got completed in the last few days with the arrival of Neil Etheridge, Ray Jonnson, Jason de Jong and Rob Gier over the weekend.
Booster
The rabid reception of the fans has also boosted the team’s confidence, but Weiss, despite wanting the Azkals to be more offense-oriented, warned his team to be cautious.
“They must not let this frenzy get their confidence too high,” Weiss said. “But I still want them to stick to our game plan, to play more attacking football. We will
take advantage of playing in our home soil.”
The Philippines is ranked No. 152 in the latest Fifa rankings, while Mongolia is at 182, but the disparity doesn’t deter Mongolia, which, like the Philippines, is trying to increase the popularity of the sport in their country.
“The Philippines is ranked higher, but any coach knows that any time there is a team on the field, they always plan to win,” said Mongolian coach Erdenebat Sandagdort.
On a lighter note, Philippine football Federation president Mariano Araneta said he is pleased with the preparation and is even offering the game as a belated present to
President Benigno Aquino III, who turned 51 yesterday.
“Just as long as he doesn’t expect the score to be his age,” team manager Palami quipped.
Climate
Palami said that depending on today’s results, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge might not be called up for the second leg in March 15 in Mongolia, which will be played at 1 p.m. because it is Mongolia’s warmest time of the day, with temperature reaching 0 degrees Celsius. It is currently -30 there.
“If we can hold them, we might just call Neil for the Bangladesh games,” Palami said.
If the Philippines beats Mongolia, it will join Group A with Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh.
Months of waiting are finally over for the Philippine Azkals as they take to the Panaad Park and Stadium today to take on the unknown Mongolia, who sports the moniker the Blue Wolves, in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers.
“The team had a fantastic experience in Indonesia and Vietnam (in the Suzuki Cup) and now they finally get the chance at playing at home,” German coach Hans Michael Weiss said during the pre-match press conference yesterday. “This is the biggest match in Philippine football history.”
The team failed to play their home game in the AFF Suzuki Cup quarterfinals in Bacolod because AFF officials said Panaad did not pass the standards.
Weiss and the Azkals have been in Bacolod since Jan. 26, but the team only got completed in the last few days with the arrival of Neil Etheridge, Ray Jonnson, Jason de Jong and Rob Gier over the weekend.
Booster
The rabid reception of the fans has also boosted the team’s confidence, but Weiss, despite wanting the Azkals to be more offense-oriented, warned his team to be cautious.
“They must not let this frenzy get their confidence too high,” Weiss said. “But I still want them to stick to our game plan, to play more attacking football. We will
take advantage of playing in our home soil.”
The Philippines is ranked No. 152 in the latest Fifa rankings, while Mongolia is at 182, but the disparity doesn’t deter Mongolia, which, like the Philippines, is trying to increase the popularity of the sport in their country.
“The Philippines is ranked higher, but any coach knows that any time there is a team on the field, they always plan to win,” said Mongolian coach Erdenebat Sandagdort.
On a lighter note, Philippine football Federation president Mariano Araneta said he is pleased with the preparation and is even offering the game as a belated present to
President Benigno Aquino III, who turned 51 yesterday.
“Just as long as he doesn’t expect the score to be his age,” team manager Palami quipped.
Climate
Palami said that depending on today’s results, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge might not be called up for the second leg in March 15 in Mongolia, which will be played at 1 p.m. because it is Mongolia’s warmest time of the day, with temperature reaching 0 degrees Celsius. It is currently -30 there.
“If we can hold them, we might just call Neil for the Bangladesh games,” Palami said.
If the Philippines beats Mongolia, it will join Group A with Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh.
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