Cedelf P. Tupas
MANILA---The National men�s football team opened training camp for the second leg of its AFC Challenge Cup duel with Mongolia in Baguio City yesterday with the coaching staff led by German mentor Hans Michael Weiss putting emphasis on sharpening the squad�s finishing in front of goal which was left wanting in previous matches.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami said, aside from getting the players used to the cold weather, the training patterns in preparation for the Mongolia game on March 15 will also focused on improving the squad�s attack.
Weiss had rued the missed chances of scoring more in the 2-0 first leg victory in Bacolod two weeks ago with the
Azkals, for all their possession, failing to add to their advantage as Ian Araneta hit the post twice and several others missed a host of opportunities in front of the goal.
Palami said the Azkals won�t be just protecting their lead in the second leg which will be played in abject wintry conditions despite being set at 1 p.m., the hottest time of the day in Ulan Bator.
�If we can score more, then we will do it,� said Palami. �Definitely, we will not just defend against them.�
The Azkals will play a tune-up match on Wednesday against a select group of players based in Baguio. Another tune-up match is scheduled Saturday.
The Azkals aren�t complete yet in Baguio with several foreign-based players, including goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Ray Jonsson, Filipino-Danish standouts Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara, still with their clubs in Europe.
Brothers Phil and James Younghusband are already with the squad in Baguio, along with skipper Aly Borromeo and regular starters Anton del Rosario, Chieffy Caligdong and Araneta. Caligdong and Phil Younghusband scored the goals against Mongolia.
Jason de Jong, the Netherlands-born midfielder, is still in Indonesia trying out for teams in the Indonesian Super League.
Contrary to earlier reports, the 20-year-old De Jong, a defensive midfielder, has not signed up with Sriwijaya FC, after failing to impress Bulgarian coach Ivan Kolev.
The Inquirer tried but failed to contact De Jong, who will also undergo a trial with another ISL club, Persiba Balikpapan, according to Indonesian football website, bolaindo.com.
The Azkals are also scheduled to undergo a one-week camp at the Japan Football Association training facility in Fukushima, before they go to Mongolia for the second leg of the qualifying series.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano �Nonong� Araneta said he will request the JFA to also schedule a tune-up match for the Azkals, who rose to prominence with their semifinal finish in the AFF Suzuki Cup last year.
inquirer.net
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