Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Football

Before Asian Cup, Azkals look to bag Suzuki Cup


The Philippines is upbeat that it will finally end its long wait for a first AFF Suzuki Cup title this year.

After failing to survive the group stage when the Philippines hosted the 2016 tournament, the Azkals are confident that their solid preparation and the entry of new coach Sven Goran Eriksson will set them up for glory in the 2018 Suzuki Cup.

The Azkals are in Group B with reigning champion Thailand, three-time winner Singapore, 2016 finalist Indonesia, and Timor Leste.

The Filipinos kick off their campaign at home against Singapore at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

“We respect everyone in the group, but we can’t fear them,” said Azkals co-skipper Stephan Schrock during the Manila stop of the AFF Suzuki Cup trophy tour at World Trade Center in Pasay City last October 27.

“We are confident that with our preparation and the new coach that we’ll have a great chance of winning the Suzuki Cup this year.”

The hiring of Eriksson as the Azkals’ new coach was also made official during the Trophy Tour program by Philippines team manager Dan Palami.

The Swede coached England in the 2006 World Cup, and has also handled the national teams of Mexico and Ivory Coast.

Suzuki Philippines vice-president Shizo Hoshikura wished the Azkals luck as they contend for the title in the competition, where they have reached the semifinals three times in the last four years.

The Azkals’ 2-0 victory of then defending champion Vietnam in the 2010 tournament in Hanoi remains as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament. But they were unable to get out of their group in 2016, as Indonesia and Thailand qualified and went on to play in the finals.

#ReadMore  Mitsubishi Electric Cup: Azkals fall to Indonesia in Schrock curtain call

With the new format that will allow the Azkals to play several home matches in the group stage in Bacolod, Azkals midfielder Kevin Ingreso believes they have a great opportunity to make the Philippines proud.

“We can assure everyone that we will make everyone proud and play our best game every match,” said Ingreso. “We know that the Suzuki Cup is the biggest tournament in Southeast Asia. We will do everything we can to win the title for the Philippines.”

Midfielder Manny Ott, who is making his third Suzuki Cup appearance for the Azkals, said the tournament forms a huge part of their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup in January.

“We qualified for the Asian Cup for the first time and we want to use the tournament as part of our preparations, but obviously we also want to win it,” said Ott.

Written By


You May Also Like

Football

The Philippine Azkals’ dreams of making it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup received a harsh reality check at the hands of Southeast Asian...

Football

If things go according to plan, Gerrit Holtmann will make his return for the Philippine Azkals next month, marking his first appearance since representing...

Football

Just when it looked like he was calling it a day, Stephan Schrock represented the Philippine Azkals in their 1-0 win over Nepal last...

Football

Jarvey Gayoso was in the right place at the right time to propel coach Michael Weiss and the Philippine Azkals to a 1-0 victory...

Football

In a case of déjà vu, a familiar face has been appointed to lead the Philippine Azkals after almost 10 years since his first...

Football

During De La Salle University’s dramatic 2-1 win over arch-rival Ateneo de Manila University last Sunday in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Football Tournament,...

Football

Veteran goalkeeper Neil Etheridge looks to return to action for the Philippine Azkals as part of their program in the Middle East this month....

Football

For almost 12 years, Stephan Schrock has been a cornerstone of the Philippine Azkals. He has competed in two AFC Challenge Cup runs, two...

Advertisement