Playing in front of their growing legion of fans, Philippine Azkals coach Michael Weiss believes they will give his players an extra zest to top 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers on March 22-26 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The presence of other key foreign-based booters for the qualifiers, according to Weiss, is another reason why they could dominate the event that will also be participated in by last year’s runner-up Turkmenistan, Brunei and Cambodia.
North Korea won’t defend its title after getting a slot to the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 as a result of its win last year.
“This is a very serious tournament because in the Philippines, it’s not allowed to lose so we have to win the tournament,” said Weiss, who at presstime has yet to sign the six-month contract extension offered by the Philippine Football Federation.
The top team in the five qualifying groups will advance to the main stage of the Challenge Cup set next year in the tiny island of Maldives. The remaining three slots will be filled by the three-best second placers.
The period of the qualifiers are set during the FIFA international friendly dates, meaning that clubs worldwide will have to release their players if needed for national team duty.
Among the key Azkals playing abroad are Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, Hoffenheim’s Stephan Schrock, Dennis Cagara, Paul Mulders and Rob Gier, who did a fine defensive job during the AFF Suzuki Cup.
“And I think on home soil and with the players that will be available, we have a very good chance because it’s an international FIFA date,” added Weiss. “It doesn’t mean all of them will come but I expect most of them here.”
The presence of other key foreign-based booters for the qualifiers, according to Weiss, is another reason why they could dominate the event that will also be participated in by last year’s runner-up Turkmenistan, Brunei and Cambodia.
North Korea won’t defend its title after getting a slot to the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 as a result of its win last year.
“This is a very serious tournament because in the Philippines, it’s not allowed to lose so we have to win the tournament,” said Weiss, who at presstime has yet to sign the six-month contract extension offered by the Philippine Football Federation.
The top team in the five qualifying groups will advance to the main stage of the Challenge Cup set next year in the tiny island of Maldives. The remaining three slots will be filled by the three-best second placers.
The period of the qualifiers are set during the FIFA international friendly dates, meaning that clubs worldwide will have to release their players if needed for national team duty.
Among the key Azkals playing abroad are Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, Hoffenheim’s Stephan Schrock, Dennis Cagara, Paul Mulders and Rob Gier, who did a fine defensive job during the AFF Suzuki Cup.
“And I think on home soil and with the players that will be available, we have a very good chance because it’s an international FIFA date,” added Weiss. “It doesn’t mean all of them will come but I expect most of them here.”
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