By Olmin Leyba
The Philippine Azkals will accept an invitation to compete in the five-nation Nehru Cup in India next month, adding to their loaded roster of activities in preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup.
"Organizers have informed us, through Fifa's Domeka Garamendi, that they want the Phl to join the Nehru Cup. It's only a matter of formality for us. We told them to just send us a formal invite and we'll accept it," Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta told this writer in a phone interview from Bangkok today.
The Azkals will pit skills with Jordan, Kenya, Syria and host India in the bootfest set late August to early September, according to Araneta.
The Nehru Cup will be inserted into the Azkals' heavy slate prior to embarking on their semis quest in the Suzuki in November.
Phl XI will hold a training camp in the US, highlighted by friendlies w/ MLS clubs, as well as similar camps in the Middle East and Japan. Also in the pipeline are possible friendlies with Vietnam and Indonesia in August and the planned four-nation Long Teng Cup in Bacolod in October.
Araneta is currently in Bangkok to attend to Wednesday's official draw for the Suzuki Cup group stages.
"We hope to get luck of the draw," said Araneta, keeping his fingers crossed that Phl XI will get drawn with Singapore, Malaysia and Laos.
In line with the draw set at 3pm (4 pm in Manila) tomorrow, the PFF will host a program at the Azkals Sports Bar in Taguig, where team manager Dan Palami and some of the players will be present to view a live TV feed of the draw from the Thai capital.
According to PFF marketing and communications head Ebong Joson, the draw will have hosts Thailand and Malaysia in one pot, Indonesia and Vietnam in the second pot and Singapore and the Philippines in the third pot, while the fourth pot is for the two qualifiers.
�From these pots will be drawn the members of each group, although we won�t know till later where the Azkals will be playing,� said Joson during today's PSA Forum in Manila.
Knowing the country�s opposition early, he stressed, was also vital to the Azkals� build-up to the Suzuki Cup.
�While the Azkals were like a thief in the night when they saw action in the event two years ago, now they are closely marked men by everyone else, which is why this is important to us,� Joson said.
philstar
�From these pots will be drawn the members of each group, although we won�t know till later where the Azkals will be playing,� said Joson during today's PSA Forum in Manila.
Knowing the country�s opposition early, he stressed, was also vital to the Azkals� build-up to the Suzuki Cup.
�While the Azkals were like a thief in the night when they saw action in the event two years ago, now they are closely marked men by everyone else, which is why this is important to us,� Joson said.
philstar
No comments:
Post a Comment