MANILA, Philippines � The Philippine Azkals are stepping up their preparations for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup in March.
ABS-CBN correspondent Dyan Castillejo reported that the Philippine squad has been holding practice sessions twice a day at the Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
As part of their preparations, the team will participate in an exhibition game against South Korea�s Icheon Citizen FC on Saturday.
Filipino-British footballer Rob Gier flew down to Manila to join the practice sessions.
�It's a practice match for fitness, team cohesion,� Gier said of their friendly match versus the third-tier Korean team.
A new recruit also joined the Azkals� fold.
Filipino-German Dennis Wolf, who plays for FC Magdeburg in Germany, practiced with the Azkals.
�I don't know the whole team [yet] but a lot of good characters in them. Looking forward [to play with them]," said Wolf.
Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss said the friendly will help improve the team�s level of play.
�I want to improve their football skills,� he said.
The Azkals advanced into the final grouping of the AFC Challenge Cup by demolishing Bangladesh, 3-0, in March last year.
The Challenge Cup will take place in Nepal from March 8-19.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will renew its contract with ABS-CBN for the television coverage of the Philippine Azkals.
PFF President Mariano �Nonong� Araneta said the 4-year contract will help the promotion of the sport in the country.
�We're going to sign with ABS-CBN... �yung pagcover ng ABS-CBN sa sport namin helped the promotion of the sport in general. Not only in the Philippines but also sa labas [ng bansa],� he said.
The Azkals United-Icheon Citizen FC game will be broadcast live by ABS-CBN Studio 23 on Saturday, 7 p.m.
ABS CBN News
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