2014 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers

[baludoy]

tomorrow the difficult journey of the azkals to join the futbol party in the big stage begins as they face sri lanka's the brave reds in a 2 game winner-take-all affair

Azkals eye long-due revenge
By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star) Updated June 28, 2011 12:00 AM

Manila, Philippines - When the Azkals take on Sri Lanka in the first leg of the 2014 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers tomorrow in Colombo, desire to make history for Philippine football would not be the sole factor that would drive the Filipino booters.

Revenge would also play a role, according to team manager Dan Palami, as Phl XI would want to avenge its 0-3 defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka the last time the two nations collided in another World Cup qualifier 15 years ago in Doha.

“Last time in 1996, the Philippines lost to Sri Lanka, 0-3. It’s payback time now. We want to show them that the Philippine team 2011 is not the same as the Philippine team 1996 that they beat,” Palami said.

Of course, a lot had happened in those 15 years.

Phl now enjoys some sort of renaissance, spurred by a major 2-0 upset of powerhouse Vietnam, a semifinal appearance in last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup and a berth to the main draw of the AFC Challenge Cup.

The Azkals also carry a higher Fifa ranking (156) than Sri Lanka (169) and the Brave Reds are coming off two losses and a draw in their own AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers campaign last year.

Phl XI is looking to make it to the second round of the World Cup’s Asian qualifiers for the first time. For this, they have assembled the strongest team possible, adding Fil-foreigners Manuel Ott, Stephan Schorck, Nathaniel Burkey and Paul Mulders to the 2010 crew led by Neil Etheridge, Phil and James Younghusband, Aly Borromeo and Chieffy Caligdong.

“We’re twice better than what the team was in the Challenge Cup,” said Palami, who even predicted the Azkals to score at least two goals against the Brave Reds.

The Azkals underwent two-week training in Germany, playing against four German clubs, including second division side FC Ingolstadt 04 and third division club SV Darmstadt 98.

“Having the training camp did us well,” Palami said, his confidence not waning despite the Azkals’ shutout losses to Ingoldstadt (0-4) and (0-5) in the homestretch of their German sessions.

“I’m sure the guys will be ready to get back from their defeats against strong German teams. Of course, their oppopent (Sri Lanka) will certainly not be in the caliber of the teams we played in Germany,” he added.

i hope they kick butts in colombo

[baludoy]

tabla lang. pero lamang pa din tayo sa aggregate points

sold out na laban ngayong linggo. dogfight 'to sigurado

[chua_riwap]

kala ko ba kayang-kaya?
1 all?.......

[111prez]

sri lanka was in attacking mode, moved fast and seemed to be the more physically fit team

tamang tama talaga ang training nila sa korea

but i keep my hopes up for the philippine team

GO AZKALS!

[locoroco777]

problema lang si phil younghusband.....nayayari nung hamstring injury nya....buti nalang mainam inam yung karelyebong striker na puti saka si ian araneta...

[baludoy]

kala ko ba kayang-kaya?
1 all?.......

that's the beauty (and ugliness of football). nothing is sure in the game especially if the format is home and away and the stakes are incredibly high

[shadow]

Galing nun no#7 ng Kuwait. Nag dribble pa... Pinaglalaruan lang defense kahit 3 pa azkals sa harap niya.

[oliver1013]

Puro hype lang ba ang mga Azkal? Diba kahit papaano kumpara sa dati nating team medyo umangat na yung current team...Sorry di ako masyado updated dito pero lagi ko ngang naririnig tong football team natin.

Of course di tayo at par sa maggaling pero considering the past achievement ng Azkals overated ba at puro hype?

[tidus1203]

While it was a good effort, it just goes to show how far we really are even for a qualifying spot at the World Cup. Kuwait lang yan... Dito pa lang sa mga small fry of Asia yari na we have Japan and South Korea the big boys of Asian football and don't forget China and North Korea (a World Cup qualifier last year). And Asia is not even a great continent football talent wise...

[Ry_Tower]

While it was a good effort, it just goes to show how far we really are even for a qualifying spot at the World Cup. Kuwait lang yan... Dito pa lang sa mga small fry of Asia yari na we have Japan and South Korea the big boys of Asian football and don't forget China and North Korea (a World Cup qualifier last year). And Asia is not even a great continent football talent wise...

Trabaho ng agent nila kasi na i-hype para kumita. Remember that "fame=fortune=money" yan eh. hehehe

Tignana mo may mga commercials na sina Phil at James!