FOR nearly a month, Azkals’ coach Thomas Dooley’s future will be on the line.
Officials of the Philippine Football Federation will deliberate on his status with the Philippine national men’s football team after the Azkals pulled off a historic 2-1 win over Tajikistan last week at the Rizal Memorial Football Field to qualify to the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup 2019 for the first time.
Dooley’s contract with the team expired last March 31.
“Looking at his record, I think maganda ang naipakita niya sa atin. Ang pinag-uusapan na lang is the level that we want to go. Kung kayang mag-respond ng players at team at kung madadala niya doon,” said Palami, who talked about the plans for the Azkals during yesterday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tapa King in Araneta Center.
For now, Palami said officials will need a month to deliberate on Dooley’s status. There will also be plenty of time to prepare for the tournament proper, which will be held at the United Arab Emirates from Jan. 1 to Feb. 5, 2019.
By the time they have decided on Dooley’s fate, the team will know their schedule when the draw of lots are held on May 4.
While getting ready, new players can be called from the collegiate leagues of the UAAP and the NCAA and from clubs here and abroad.
The coaching staff will then prepare to select the players, who will play in different camps that they will hold in Europe and in the Gulf region.
“We have a preparation tournament, which is the Suzuki Cup. This is where we started,” added Palami.
Dooley has been with the Azkals for the last four years. It was during his time that the Azkals reached their highest FIFA world ranking of 113 this month and most likely, inside the Top 100 later on, according to Palami.
The Azkals finished on top of Group F with a 3-3-0 win-draw-record, with Yemen getting the second seat in the Asian Cup with their 1-4-0 slate.