THE Philippine national football team will be gunning for a strong start as it faces Brunei in the opening round of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in Iloilo today.
“We want to start and finish strong,” head coach and former RP team striker Norman Fegidero told Pinoysoccer.com.
A strong start is important for the campaign of the Azkals—the nickname of the RP team—as they face the dangerous Tajikistan in their second match next Thursday before closing out their campaign against Bhutan on Saturday.
The Philippines currently sits at 189th in the world rankings of Fifa.com, while Tajikistan, the defending Challenge Cup champion is at 155. Brunei is at 190.
“The coaching staff has instilled a mindset that they should not be tentative but finish and end strong. Everybody must be focused and concentrate down to the last man on the field. It has to be a total team effort,” said Fegidero.
The last time the Philippines took on Brunei, Phil Younghusband, the England born striker, scored twice for the Azkals’ 4-1 win in the Asean Football Championships Qualifying Round.
And today, Younghusband will be a marked man as the Philippines hopes to advance to next stage of the Challenge Cup.
Aside from Younghusband, Fil-Britons Chris and Phil Greatwitch and Chad Gould are with the team along with Fulham reserve keeper Neil Etheridge.
Lineup
The US-based del Rosarios—Anton and Mariano—are also with the squad as well as local players Alexander Borromeo, Jason Cordova, Lemuel Unabia, Ricardo Becite, Robert Cańedo, Jeffrey Liman, Arnie Pasenabo, Ian Araneta, Joven BEdic, Ruben Doctora Jr, Peter Jaugan and Florian Pasilan Jr.
To prepare for the Challenge Cup, Fegidero and the RP team played a series of friendly matches in the Visayas, winning nine and drawing once. The team also defeated the Cebu All-Stars, 6-0, last month, with Younghusband scoring thrice. (ML)
