Azkals call off Dubai training

By Olmin Leyba

The Philippine Azkals will no longer get to play Serbian powerhouse FK Partizan Belgrade in their 12-day training camp next month in the UAE after the reigning Serbian SuperLiga champions called off their Dubai sortie.

�The Azkals� match with Partizan that�s supposed to be held on Feb. 6 will not push through anymore apparently because of visa problems on their part,� confirmed Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta yesterday.

Multi-titled Partizan is under a new coach in Avram Grant, an Israeli. In their website, �The Black and Whites� announced that after the cancellation of their preparation in Dubai, the team is searching for opponents in Israel instead for a planned trip from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8.

The Azkals will hold camp in the UAE and Qatar from Feb. 5-17 as a crucial part of their buildup for the AFC Challenge Cup in March in Nepal.

With the showdown against the top-flight Serbian club now off, the Azkals will be left with three tune-up matches.

Araneta said so far, only Al Ahli Sports Club has confirmed for the Feb. 13 match in Doha, Qatar while negotiations are ongoing for a Feb. 16 duel with the Australian U-23 side in Dubai. The Azkals also are looking for an opponent for a Feb. 10 match in Dubai.

While the Azkals hone their skills abroad, the PFF will kick off its grassroots program at home via the �Asian Football Development Program� on Feb. 10-11 in Calamba, Laguna.


philstar