Azkals 'prepare' for Kuwait, Spain
The Philippines may have drawn Sri Lanka in the first round but the Philippine Football Federation says the Azkals will be preparing as if they will face Kuwait.
Team Manager Dan Palami, on the other hand, has an even more serious outlook.
He wants to have the team treat Sri Lanka as if it is Spain, the reigning World Cup champion.
The Philippines drew Sri Lanka in the first round of the Fifa 2014 World Cup Asia qualifiers and if it wins, it could face Kuwait, the 12th best team in Asia, in the second round.
PFF president Mariano Araneta told Bill Velasco of Hard Ball that the Azkals “will be preparing as if they have drawn Kuwait.”
Araneta said they are not disregarding Sri Lanka, which is ranked 173 in the world, but only wants the Azkals to be as prepared as possible.
Araneta said they are also looking at having a training camp outside the Philippines to boost the squad’s readiness for the World Cup.
The first leg of the home and away series will be played on June 29 in Sri Lanka, while the Philippines will host the second leg on July 3. If the Azkals advance, they will take on Kuwait in the second round, which will also be a home- and-away format.
Meanwhile, the PFF also announced there is no venue yet for the second leg. It was reported that Araneta was set to inspect the Rizal Memorial Sports Center if it can host the home leg.
Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, which hosted the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers against Mongolia, is also a possible venue.
Team Manager Dan Palami, on the other hand, has an even more serious outlook.
He wants to have the team treat Sri Lanka as if it is Spain, the reigning World Cup champion.
The Philippines drew Sri Lanka in the first round of the Fifa 2014 World Cup Asia qualifiers and if it wins, it could face Kuwait, the 12th best team in Asia, in the second round.
PFF president Mariano Araneta told Bill Velasco of Hard Ball that the Azkals “will be preparing as if they have drawn Kuwait.”
Araneta said they are not disregarding Sri Lanka, which is ranked 173 in the world, but only wants the Azkals to be as prepared as possible.
Araneta said they are also looking at having a training camp outside the Philippines to boost the squad’s readiness for the World Cup.
The first leg of the home and away series will be played on June 29 in Sri Lanka, while the Philippines will host the second leg on July 3. If the Azkals advance, they will take on Kuwait in the second round, which will also be a home- and-away format.
Meanwhile, the PFF also announced there is no venue yet for the second leg. It was reported that Araneta was set to inspect the Rizal Memorial Sports Center if it can host the home leg.
Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, which hosted the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers against Mongolia, is also a possible venue.
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