After arranging two international friendly games for this September, a statement signed by Philippine Football Federation General Secretary Atty. Ed Gastanes announced that the Philippine Men’s National Football Team (Azkals) is set to face Bahrain on October 7, 2016 (Friday) at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan.
The incoming fixture will not be the first time both countries face each other; this will be the fifth game between the two countries. Back in 2012, the Azkals secured a 0-0 draw in their first encounter with Bahrain. Three years later, the Azkals succumbed to a 1-2 loss. Both fixtures were played away at Bahrain.
The Philippines then finally got one over Bahrain at home with a 2-1 score, but lost the reverse fixture away, 0-2, as part of their 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup preliminary joint second round qualification campaign.
Once again, the Azkals face a country ranked higher than them in the FIFA World Rankings. With the Azkals currently ranked 134th in the world, they face a Bahrain side eight places higher at 126th.
There are still no details about the kickoff time and match tickets for the Bahrain game. The said fixture will fall in the FIFA match calendar of October 3-11, 2016. No announcement has been made yet regarding whether or not the Azkals will play one more friendly match on the said dates.
Along with September friendlies against Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Repubic, these games will go a long way to prepare the Azkals and their fans for the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup, which will be hosted by the Philippines. Only three months are left before the big kickoff, so hopefully the Azkals and their fans will be ready for the tournament.
