MANILA, Philippines – Fresh from the historic victory against Sri Lanka’s Brave Reds in a score 4-0 and (5-1 for the aggregate), Philippine Azkals is now looking forward for tougher trainings and warm-up games as preparation for the second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, this time, another home-and-away game for a much higher team from Kuwait.
Kuwait football team is one of the strongest group in Asia and in fact, they were able to make it to the World Cup before.
Azkals admitted that for this match, they are really the under dogs and a game against this wall is a test on how much Azkals as a new comer can give.
But Azkals coach,Hans Weiss said, “We have quality players and [the game] showed what they can do. This makes us confident for the Kuwait match.”
The game between Philippine Azkals and Kuwait is set to kick off on July 23 and 28 respectively. First game will be held in Kuwait while the second game is again in the Philippines.
As to the South Korean Coach of Sri Lanka’s Brave Reds, he described Kuwaitis to be in the same level with the team in Qatar whom they had faced before. He further said that their level is definitely higher for they are one of the tough teams in Middle East when it comes to Football.
This leap for the next level of the qualifying round for the world cup is a first time for the Philippines. And the journey to the much coveted FIFA World Cup does not have a shortcut to make it easier.
To recall, the second leg of the match between Brave Reds and Azkals made Filipinos proud and happy as well. Even President Noynoy Aquino had extended his congratulations to the great play Azkals had shown. And for the next round, PNoy wishes the Azkals all the good luck.
