Vietnam invited to play Azkals

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO





MANILA, Philippines � Philippine Football Federation president Mariano ��Nonong�� Araneta Jr. Wednesday said they have invited Vietnam�s national football team for a friendly match against the Azkals on Oct. 9 here, hoping it will accept after Malaysia declined the invitation.



Ranked 18 spots higher than the Philippines at 144, Vietnam, like the Philippines, also failed to advance to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers following a 4-2 aggregate loss to Qatar after two matches.



Vietnam, however, has a special place in the current surge of football in the Philippines.





In what has been considered to be one of the country�s most stunning victories in many years, the Azkals beat Vietnam, then the defending champions, 2-0, in the AFF-Suzuki Cup in Hanoi last December.





Vietnam is set to play Japan in an exhibition match on Oct. 7 in Kobe, and Araneta said he is hoping that Vietnam will agree on taking a four-hour flight from Kobe the next day to play the Philippine side at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.





The Japan Football Association has invited Vietnam to play the Japanese team as part of its buildup for the third round of the qualifiers for 2014 World Cup, where it will face North Korea, Uzbekistan and Syria.







�We�ll do our best to invite all available strong teams because this is the only time our team will be complete,� Araneta said referring to the Oct. 7-11 dates which was reserved by the International Football Federation (Fifa) for international friendly games.



During this period in the football calendar, professional clubs around the world allow their players to play for their national teams.





Araneta has also invited India for an Oct. 6 clash here, but has yet to get a response. India is one of the Azkals� seven rivals, and the 2008 champion, in the AFC Challenge Cup finals slated March in Nepal.



Manila Bulletin