After a highly successful 2010 Suzuki Cup stint where the Philippine National Men�s Football Team cracked the semifinals for the first time in the 14-year history of the tournament (only to be waylaid by Indonesia, the top goal-scoring team of the competition), the Azkals break for the holidays before returning to training mid-January for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup qualifiers in a home and away series with Mongolia that kicks off on February 9, 2011 in Panaad, Bacolod City.
�We have written Mongolia about the possibility of hosting the two matches in Panaad,� said Philippine Football Federation President Mariano V. Araneta. �It would be difficult to play in Mongolia at that time of the year because it�s the height of their winter season. We have sent them a letter of request and are waiting for their reply.�
The Azkals will also be competing in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers that begin by mid-next year and the year-ending Southeast Asian Games that will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The groupings for the World Cup qualifiers have yet to be determined by FIFA.
�We will be meeting with the national team management to discuss how we can help them and what needs to be done to bring the team to the next level,� added Araneta who was in Jakarta for the first match of the Suzuki Cup semifinals to lend some support. �Hopefully, what they achieved in Laos, Vietnam, and Indonesia which is significantly raising awareness of the sport in the Philippines will continue to rise. We have shown that this is a sport where we can truly be competitive.�
Posted by Rick Olivares
Bleachers' Brew
Comment :
AFC Challenge Cup group stage if Philippines qualify :
21.3.11: Myanmar vs Philippines
23.3.11: Philippines vs Palestine
25.3.11: Bangladesh vs Philippines
Source : Bangladesh FA
Host not confirmed but I expect it will be in Bangladesh
No comments:
Post a Comment