The Philippine Azkals will be playing against an European team, Azerbaijan in Dubai, right after their scoreless draw against Malaysia last Saturday in FIFA-sanctioned international friendly match held at the MPS Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia.
Related Article: Azkals Defeated by Azerbaijan 1-Nil in Dubai
The Azkals vs. Azerbaijan match will be held tonight, March 5, 2014, at the Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Philippine Azkals in Dubai (Photo: Eugene Santos Protography FB Page)
The Azerbaijan Azeris is one of the strongest team who will play against the Philippine Azkals, Azerbaijan currently ranks at the 93rd spot in the latest FIFA international rankings.
The Philippines will face their first European opposition in 17 years of playing as a national football team. The last time the Philippines played an European national team was 17 years ago wherein the Philippines suffered a 1-0 loss against Estonia, in a game held at the historic Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Metro Manila.
Newly-appointed Philippine Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley welcomed the addition of several European-based players who will see action against Azerbaijan particularly the Fil-German footballer, Stephan Schrock, Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena and Fil-Spanish player Javier Patiño.
The game between the Philippine Azkals and Azerbaijan is part of the country’s preparation for the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup which is slated this coming May 19, 2014 to be held in Maldives. The winner will secure a slot in the highly coveted Asian Cup 2015 to be held in Australia.
Azerbaijan made a good showing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers ranking at fifth place drewing Russia 1-1 in their final qualifying match. The team is under the mentorship of Coach Beti Vogts, the man who led Germany to an European championship victory in 1996.
