Azkals Preparing For AFF Suzuki Cup
AFF Suzuki Cup – The Philippine Azkals is preparing for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup to be held on November 19, as reported.
According to a report by GMA News, the Philippine Azakals is among the so-called Group of De@th together with powerhouse teams from Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
The team has been eliminated in the Suzuki cup installments in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
The Azkals team captain Phil Younghusband said in confidence that the team would make it to the finals, which will be held in the Philippines.
“Of those three times, we beat them once so we still have a lot to prove against them. And also we’re playing at home this time. It’ll feel a bit different. Different conditions, different turf,” said Young husband as quoted in the report.
He added that having someone from his family playing with them is special as his brother, James, is back in the lineup.
Younghusband added that the Azkals needs to improve its center back defense as players Stephen Palla, Daisuke Sato, and Neil Etheridge won’t be able to join the competition.
Roland Muller and Patrick Deyte woul play as goal keepers as said by coach Thomas Dooley.
There are new faces in the Philippine team including Junior Muñoz and Mike Ott, who may be given a chance to play.
Meanwhile, players like Stephan Scrock , Misagh Bahadoran, Luke Woodland, and Iain Ramsay would still be playing for the team during the competition.
“We really need you as the 12th man on the field because our players will play another 10 percent more when they see the fans are here and they like the way we play,” Dooley said urging people to support the games of the Azkals.
On November 19, the team will compete against Singapore, November 22 against Indonesia, and with Thailand, November 25.
The games are said to be held at the Philippine Sports Stadium.
