The Philippine Azkals is scheduled to meet, Afghanistan national football team, the highest-ranked team in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 in the island city of Maldives.
See Also: Azkals vs. Afghanistan Live Coverage, Scores & Results
Afghanistan National Football Team (Photo: AFP)
The 128th ranked Afghanistan’s Lions of Khorasan also made a spectacular upset against India during last year’s South Asian Football Confederation (SAFF) championship final in Nepal with the final score at 2-0. The Afghan booters returned to their country receiving a heroes welcome with their achievement.
The Philippine Azkals currently ranked 140th in the world and second in Southeast Asian behind the Vietnam, the highest ranked Southeast Asian Team at 116th worldwide.
The Afghanistan national football team is high on its morale as they enter the AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives after their emotional win against one of South Asia’s toughest team, India. Before coming to Maldives, Afghanistan played four tune up games against various international opponents.
Afghanistan drew with Kyrgyztan 0-0, lost to Tajikistan 1-0, beat Kyrgyztan 1-0, then they lost to Kuwait with an impressive 2-3 defeat. The team is currently mentored by veteran German bench tactician, Erich Rutemöller.
The national football team of Afghanistan also features some bunch of international players playing abroad such as in Germany like Faqiryar. Some of their national team members were playing in Thailand, India, and Australia.
Afghanistan’s most prolific striker, Balal Arezou, played in Norway and already garnered nine international goals for the Afghanistan side. The Philippine Azkals last played against Afghanistan during the 2006 edition of the AFC, the game ended with 1-1 draw.
The next assignment of the Philippine Azkals will against Laos on May 22, 2014, followed by the last fixture of the Group stage against Turkmenistan this coming Friday, May 23, 2014.