The Philippine National Men’s Football Team, popularly known as the Azkals, have suffered due to their lack of friendlies. From being ranked as high as no. 115 in the FIFA world rankings last May, the Azkals have plumetted 20 placed below to no. 135 this month.
“Well, that’s what happens when you don’t have friendly matches”, lamented Azkals team manager Dan Palami who then contented, though, that the squad’s performance didn’t drop. Palami added, “It’s just that, of course, we always want to be the number one is Southeast Asia, if not be in the top ten of Asia. We’re almost there so we’re trying to rectify that by having a couple of friendlies just before Suzuki Cup. It will be good for our preparation and good for the rankings as well.”
Palami stated that Azkals coach Thomas Dooley preferred to face countries ranked higher than the Philippines in international friendlies. “The assumption is that we gain better exposure when we play against these teams, at the same time if we win we get better points in the rankings”, Palami explained.
The 2016 Suzuki Cup is scheduled to commence on November 19, 2016 and there are international friendlies being planned months and week prior the said date. The one country, though, that’s confirmed to face the Philippines is Kyrgyzstan which will entail two games, one home and another away.
For now, members of the Azkals are busy with their respective clubs based in the United Football League or abroad. This weekend, though, will see a friendly between the Azkals and Australian A-side club Perth Glory in Vigan. The coach that will give instructions to the team won’t be Dooley, but long-time San Beda College mentor Aris Caslib.
Aside from the upcoming Suzuki Cup, the Azkals have their eyes set on qualifying for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Palami noted that March 2017 is when the Azkals’ will compete in the next qualifying round for that competition. “That’s definitely the more important tournament for me because if we play well and we qualify then we’re in the Asian Cup”, Palami concluded.
