TWO key players won’t be around when the Philippines Azkals national men’s football team takes part in an Asian Cup Qualifier in Tajikistan.
Jeffrey Christiaens and Hikaru Minegishi have to be replaced because of injuries and won’t be around when the Azkals clash with host Tajikistan on Tuesday.
The match is part of the third round of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifiers.
They are set to clash at the Central Republican Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The Azkals, who are in Group F, won their first match with Nepal, 4-l, last March 28.
Two veterans, Ace Villanueva and Ruben Doctora, will take the place of Christiaens and Minegishi.
This will be Villanueva’ first call up for the Azkals.
He plays for the Meralco Manila Custodian and is part of the Philippine under-22 side.
Doctora last played for Azkals in Malaysia in March of 2014. He scored once against Nepal during a game in Doha almost a month later.
The Azkals are reeling from a 1-8 loss to China in a friendly last Wednesday.