The Philippine Azkals will be playing against one of the toughest team in Asia on their second game in the AFC Challenge Cup after their successful conquest of Cambodia with an 8-0 advantage.
With a qualifying spot within reach, the Philippine national men’s football team will play in a safer side when they clash with Turkmenistan, the team who defeated the Azkals during the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 semi-finals.
According to coach Hans Michael Weiss, his team will go a little bit more on a safety side because a mere draw will push the team to the final round of the AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives.
The Azkals eight-goals win against Cambodia put the team ahead in Group E standing with a superior goal differential over Turkmenistan which defeated Cambodia with 7-goals. A draw against Turkmen will book a ticket to the Challenge Cup finals in Maldives.
Althoug the Philippines is more comfortable with a draw must a victory will help the team gain a measure of revenge against Turkemenistan. Coach Michael Weiss was quoted as saying that “We don’t need to win but we can,” Weiss said. “We’ll be a little bit more reserved but we’ll definitely go for the win.”
The Azkals will face Turkmenistan for the last day of Challenge Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
