MANILA,Philippines – After the triumph over Brave Reds of Sri Lanka, Philippine Azkals are to face the powerful team from the east, Al-Azraq of Kuwait at 7:30 tonight (Kuwait time).
The Philippine team admitted that they are the underdogs for this face off considering that the Al-Azraq’s had been a 10 time Gulf Cup Champion and at the same time, they had set a record on making it to the World Cup in the year 1982.
As part of preparation for this second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Azkals had underwent training in Bahrain in order to be used with the temperature and the location. Currently, the temperature is dropping but still playing for at least 40 degrees.
Aside from trainings, Azkals had to watch previous games of the Al-Azraq in order to study their game style. Some the videos they had watched are those games between Uzbekistan wherein the Kuwaitis were defeated and the match versus China.
It is expected that tonight’s game will be tough. Azkals on reports had said that they are looking forward of strengthening their defence against the offence from the Al-Azraq and if the game will end up as draw, it would be alright for the Azkals.
Unlike the previous game against Brave Reds, Azkals will not have the same powerful circle for this first game because two of their players and teammates were suspended due to the 2 yellow cards they ahd received during the match against Sri Lanka. The absence of Aly Borromeo and Stephan Schrock might affect their performance but they (–foul word(s) removed–)ured that they will give the best they can.
Furthermore, this away game will be aired live in the Philippines via ABS-CBN Sports. In the Philippines, the game will be shown at 11:30 tonight (7:30 PM for Kuwait’s time).
5000 Filipinos in Kuwait are expected to be around for the game and all set to cheer loud for the Philippine Azkals.
Five days after tonight’s kick-off of the home-and-away game, the two hungry teams will be seeing again in the home game for the Philippines at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, July 28.