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Friday, March 29, 2024

Azkals chase berth in AFC

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GETTING over a heartbreaking loss back in 2014 will be the mission of the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team.

And it all starts tonight when they meet Nepal at the start of the third qualifying round of the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup football tournament.

But, this time, the Azkals are expected to be stronger and better even if they show up with replacements playing for them when they  face the  Gorkhalis in their 8 p.m. showdown at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

“This is a big opportunity to make the first step [qualify],” said Azkals coach Thomas Dooley during a presentation yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel.

In 2014, the Azkals almost qualified to the Asian Cup when they made it to the finals of the AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives.

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But, a 0-1 loss in the finals to Palestine denied the Azkals their golden opportunity.

ìWe are presented with another great opportunity where we have a great chance,î said team skipper Phil Younghusband.

It won’t matter if the Azkals will be without retired goalie Roland Muller.

It won’t also be a big deal if striker Misagh Bahadoran is out with a knee injury along with midfielder Kevin Ingresso, who hurt his knee during practice on Monday.

Dooley is bringing in James Younghusband, a known scorer, into the game, along with Antonio Ugarte from Kaya FC. Another player will come in if needed and Dooley said he will decide during their practice.

The Philippines and Nepal are in Group F with with Tajikistan and Yemen.

The top two teams in their series of home and away games will make it to the tournament proper.

After regular skipper Anil Gurung was axed from the squad three weeks ago,  veteran player Biraj Maharjan will now lead the team.

New coach Koji Gyotoku said the  Gorkhalis will do their best, and it will be their toughest assignment yet since the Philippines ranks higher than them.

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