Philippine football team Azkals is now in talks with the Qatar Football Association regarding holding a training cup in Doha as the team prepares for international competitions.
THE Philippine football team Azkals will set a training camp in Doha, Qatar from May 18 to 31 in preparation for the joint FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifier to be held in Suzhou, China next month.
According to Philippine Football Federation president, Nonong Araneta, they are in talks with the Qatar Football Association regarding the training camp.
“As you know very well, it’s so hard to train in the Philippines right now, so we have decided to do the training camp in Qatar,” Araneta also added during a virtual presser last Wednesday (May 7).
The Azkals could also hold friendly matches against teams that are also set to train in Doha in preparation for the Group A matches.
“We are lucky that there are other teams that will be there also so we can have friendly matches. I think one is Palestine, the other Syria, before we go to China,” said Araneta.
A 26-man squad will be called up for the training camp but according to Azkals manager Dan Palami and head coach Scott Cooper, the selection is still ongoing and the roster is yet to be finalized.
“During this time, it’s even more difficult because ultimately we’ll be asking players to come outside of the FIFA calendar, which poses its own problems and there lies effective communication required between the national team and clubs,” explained coach Scott Cooper.
Before ceasing the matches due to the surge of Covid-19 cases, the Azkals were seven points behind the group leading Syria and China.
However, the squad is not far off the World Cup and Asian Cup Qualifiers as they currently hold the third spot in group A.
The Philippines is set to play against Guam on June 3, followed by China on June 9, and Maldives on June 15, to be held in Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre in China. (NP)
Tags: #football, #PhilippineAzkals, #Qatar, #FIFAWorldCup