After the Filipinas’ historic first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup look in New Zealand this 12 months, it’s now the Azkals’ flip to attempt to create historical past by making an attempt to qualify to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Philippine nationwide males’s soccer workforce’s highway to the top of world soccer that’s the FIFA World Cup is nothing however troublesome, however being bracketed with fellow Southeast Asian international locations Vietnam and Indonesia in Group F does supply some hope.
Iraq might maybe be favorites to high the Azkals’ group, however with each the winners and runners-up advancing to the subsequent spherical of qualifiers, there’s some optimism that the Azkals can put up an excellent combat.
Advancing to the subsequent spherical of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers additionally mechanically qualifies the nation for the AFC Asian Cup, so in the end, there’s a lot at stake for the Azkals.
The schedule has additionally offered the Philippine workforce with a strong increase, with back-to-back residence video games in opposition to Vietnam and Indonesia kicking off the World Cup qualifying marketing campaign.
Coach Michael Weiss has taken over the reins of the workforce and has offered a way of stability and steadiness over the squad, and the workforce has largely responded positively, with a victory in opposition to a 97th ranked Kyrgyzstan final month a notable consequence.
First up on November 16 is mighty Vietnam, two-time AFF Champions and along with Thailand are the present gold normal in soccer in our a part of the world.
Captain Neil Etheridge was in objective when the Azkals famously defeated Vietnam within the recreation dubbed because the “Miracle in Hanoi”, resulting in the Azkals rise to prominence in 2010.
Now, the previous English Premier League goalkeeper will lead the squad, and along with veterans Patrick Reichelt, OJ Porteria, Kevin Ingreso, and Daisuke Sato will hope to encourage the workforce to a rousing begin in what is predicted to be a well-attended Rizal Memorial Stadium.
After the 26-man squad record, followers have been fast to notice that the squad was noticeably lacking the likes of Gerritt Holtmann, John-Patrick Strauss, Sandro Reyes, and Sebastian Rasmussen, who’re out of the lineup as a consequence of a myriad of causes, most of which we received’t even need to know. Let us as a substitute concentrate on the gamers who’re right here.
Truth be instructed, groups play in tournaments with squads that are typically removed from superb. It is what these obtainable gamers do on the pitch that oftentimes spell the distinction.
Our opponents Vietnam, as an illustration, will equally miss key gamers. According to the VN Express, first selection centerback Do Duy Manh, left again Doan Van Hau and talisman Nguyen Quang Hai will miss the match in opposition to the Azkals.
Their misfortune could also be our acquire, and fan turnout is predicted to be good, with the PFF spearheading a battle cry for the Azkals’ qualifying marketing campaign: #StandYourGround #10kStrong, with the purpose of getting 10,000 supporters to the Azkals residence video games.
PFF Secretary General Coco Torre has been vocal about how necessary this assist could be:
“It means everything to the team. The supporters must realize how motivated the players become when they play in front of a packed stadium. To have Rizal Stadium full is already half the victory for Philippine Football.”
Taking a web page out of the soccer fan expertise abroad, Coco Torre guarantees a terrific and enjoyable expertise for the followers.
“We’re going to have a party,” he instructed GMA News Online.
“For the first time ever, we will be serving beer in the fan zone to go along with delicious food from our selected vendors. We will also mount a mini-pitch where fans can play a small sided game, face painting, foosball, etc.”
For far too lengthy, individuals have been clamoring for the PFF have the initiative to advertise the Azkals’ video games extensively, to have interaction the followers, and to present the individuals an excellent fan expertise.
The PFF appears to have completed its half this time, even getting sports activities icon Manny Pacquiao to advertise the homestand.
It’s now as much as the followers to reply, with few excuses to not put their cash the place their mouths are and head on to catch the video games stay on the Rizal Memorial Stadium, if potential.
Some followers have been additionally very fast to notice and deride the inclusion of Azkals legend Stephan Schrock within the lineup, even making desultory memes basically questioning his involvement given his 37 years of age.
Coach Weiss himself stood up for his vet, pointing to the quantity of labor that Schrock is placing in to have the ability to play the minutes that could be requested of him.
Schrock, who had already as soon as introduced his retirement in January 2023, has all the time made himself obtainable and admirably nonetheless heeds the decision of the nationwide workforce within the hour of want.
Despite some detractors, he shall be there on November 16, on the Rizal Memorial Stadium, standing along with his proper hand on his coronary heart because the Philippine nationwide anthem is sung.
The query is — will the Filipino soccer followers give the Azkals an enormous increase and be a part of him there?
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
