Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE PHILIPPINES will be looking to end a title drought that has lasted close to a century when it hosts the four-nation Paulino Alcantara Peace Cup starting Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
As the highest-ranked team in the field at 150 in the Fifa rankings, the Azkals are tipped to claim the country’s first trophy since the 1913 Manila Far East Games won at the expense of China.
But coach Michael Weiss dismissed notions that winning the tournament will be a cakewalk for the Azkals, who are using the event as part of their preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup in November.
“It’s a tough tournament and it won’t be easy without the professionals (from Europe),” said Weiss, who will miss standouts like Stephan Schrock, Jerry Lucena, Paul Mulders and Neil Etheridge due to club commitments.
“But I’m confident with the team that we have now,” added Weiss, whose squad will face United Football League side Loyola Meralco Sparks in a tuneup match at Rizal Memorial Stadium in preparation for the tournament that will also involve Chinese-Taipei, Guam and Macau.
The Azkals will have key additions in Filipino Americans Demitrius Omphroy and Matthew Uy for the tournament. Both were impressive in the Azkals’ Chicago camp.
After seeing limited action in the three international friendly matches early this month, Jason De Jong is expected to play a major role in defense for the Azkals, who open their campaign against Guam on Sept. 25.
“De Jong has come a long way and he’s showing that he can be a good option in defense for years to come,” said Weiss.
Goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano is also the frontrunner to get the start in the absence of Etheridge and Roland Muller.
I don't know why, if there is an important game or games, the important Euro-players are not available, but if there is a friendly game they can play and they are all available, look this coming match there is a TITLE / trophy for the event which is important to have the title...and why they(team staff)did not do their best to get the euro-base players??????is it for game strategy (AFF Suzuki Cup preparation) or given the chance for the local players ....
ReplyDeleteThe Long Teng Cup is an important match now? How the hell did that happen?
DeleteWTF?! You dont really have a clue do you. Check out the rules from FIFA and the FIFA calendar. If a tournament isnt on the FIFA calendar, then the clubs have no obligation to release their players. But if there are international dates as WC qualifiers etc, and if Philippines decides to play a friendly on one of those dates, then players called up for the national team has to be released for their national teams.
DeleteFILIPINOS should not expect too much on the foreigners anymore. THEIr JOB is DONE. They have planted the seeds of football already. LET US JUST WAIT FOR THE next generation of filipino footballers. mag 10 - 15 years pa ... Just enjoy these foreigners while uso pa. hahahahaha
ReplyDeletehahahah, then you can wait even longer maybe 100-150 years? probably then the Philippines will be at the same level than now or lower (when the football euphoria will be calmed down).....other nations develope their football as well and as of now: they put much more effort in it....philippines youth/junior teams are one of the weakest (or maybe the weakest) in Asia/SEA and there are no signs of improvement
DeleteIf Filipino born players develop to the point where they are as good as professionals playing full time in Europe, they will leave the Philippines to play overseas. This has nothing to do with being foreign born. Professionals don't have time to dedicate their lives to national team duty.
ReplyDelete