Chieffy in, Wolf out in Azkals' Nepal trip

MANILA, Philippines � The Philippine Azkals received a big blow after wrapping up their preparation for their AFC Challenge Cup campaign.

Denis Wolf, the Fil-German who scored the Azkals� goal in the 1-1 draw against defending AFF Suzuki Cup and SEA Games champion Malaysia Tigers, will skip the competition due to passport concerns.

Wolf confirmed this to philstar.com during the post-match dinner at the Azkals Bar in Global City last night.

�I will fly out tomorrow (today) and will be back in June,� said Wolf, who is hoping to have his Philippine passport by that time.

That big blow was softened when the team�s co-captain Chieffy Caligdong confirmed that he will be available for the Nepal trip.

�Na-clear na ako ng doctor ko. I am one hundred percent ready for the AFC Challenge Cup. Gagawin namin ang lahat at lalaban kami para sa bayan,� Caligdong told philstar.com in a phone interview.

Caligdong skipped last night�s game against Malaysia to rest his left knee which is now fully recovered from LCL (lateral collateral ligament), MCL (medical collateral ligament) and partial ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury.

The Ilongo left winger sustained the injury when his club Air Force-Phoenix lost to Stallion Gilligan�s, 1-4, in the United Football League (UFL) last January.




In another development, the Azkals also received a big boost to their AFC Challenge Cup campaign as team coordinator Ace Bright confirmed that Paul Mulders will be available for the whole Nepal trip while Dennis Cagara and Stephan Shrock may play a match or two.


philstar