All Grown Up!


Philippine national men's football team manager Dan Palami and coach Michael Weiss believe that the Azkals are a more mature and cohesive unit this time around compared to the squad that competed in the 2012 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup main draw.

Palami said that the Azkals no longer need motivation since they know what should be done. "They (Azkals) know where the team wants to go. We are on the same page on the significance of the tournament. We've taken it several steps at a time."

He added that the Philippines' strong performance in the 2012 Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup and the AFC Challenge Cup is an indication of the Azkals' willingness of securing one of the remaining 12 spots in the AFC Asian Cup, which Australia will be hosting in 2015.

"The players are motivated and everybody knows what’s at stake," said Palami, a few days before the Azkals again try to qualify for the Challenge Cup's 2014 edition in the Maldives. The Philippines will host the qualifying tournament from March 22 to 26 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Fifa (International Federation of Association Football) World Cup qualifiers Japan and South Korea, and 2012 AFC Challenge Cup champions North Korea have also secured 2015 Asian Cup berths.

Weiss supported Palami’s statements. "The team that played last year could not be compared to this team. We can't compare the situation one year ago from now. It is a totally different scenario. People have to understand that."

The Philippines played against North Korea, India and Tajikistan—all previous winners of the Challenge Cup—in Group B but still managed to finish third in last year's finals. The Azkals lost to Turkmenistan in the semifinals.

"We're the underdogs and yet we managed to go to the Final Four despite having only two days of recuperation and missing three players. Turkmenistan had an easier group with Nepal, Palestine and Maldives, and they had more time to recuperate," Weiss added.

Weiss said the Philippines improved tremendously and revitalized its football program. The country even climbed to 143rd in the Fifa world rankings.

"Progress takes more time and is placed on a longer plan. But the Philippines made wonderful and big progress in the world," said the German coach, who added that getting the right mix of players together compete in 10 to 15 games would make the Azkals a stronger squad in the international arena.

The Azkals will be facing Brunei (March 22), Cambodia (March 24) and Turkmenistan (March 26) in the Challenge Cup qualifiers with the top two teams in Group E moving on into the 2014 main draw from March 8 to 23 in the Maldives.

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