There is pressure on the Philippine side to do better.
New coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said this as the Philippine Azkals national men's football team is continue preparing for the Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup football tournament.
“I think the pressure is on the home team, on the Red shirts, and the federation to try to do better,” said Eriksson on his first public appearance since taking over as the new coach of the national squad.
The Azkals are to do battle with Singapore on Nov. 13 at the Philippines' home turf at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
At the moment, Eriksson said and consultant Scott Cooper have yet to come up with his final 23-man lineup.
“We have players, the capabilities and we're focused on what we want to do,” said Eriksson.
Azkals' team manager Dan Palami and advertising manager Jun Miras joined Eriksson in the discussion.
Fil-German Stephan Schrock is expected to be part of the new squad.
Veteran Phil Younghusband is also expected to be back.
Younghusband, the team's most experienced striker, has scored more than 50 times.
and Italy, between 1979 and 2000. He became the first manager to win in three countries league-and-cup doubles.
As a manager, Eriksson won 18 trophies with a variety of league clubs in Sweden, Portugal
In their first game last year, the Philippines and Singapore played to a scoreless draw and Eriksson is hoping that the Azkals will get past that performance.