Azkals face Thais today in Suzuki Cup buildup

THE PHILIPPINE team gearing up for the AFF Suzuki Cup faces a stern test when it tackles regional powerhouse Thailand in a friendly today in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. in Manila) with the Azkals looking to break their long winless spell against the Thais, who reached the finals of the Suzuki Cup two years ago.

The Thais actually beat the Filipinos, 2-1, in Bangkok in the group stage of the Suzuki Cup in 2012. But the two teams won’t meet unless they get paired up in the knockout stages of the Suzuki Cup this year.

The Philippines will vie in Group A in Hanoi, where they will face Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia while Thailand will play in the group that features co-host Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar.

The Thais though are considered the most formidable foe in the buildup of the Azkals who will have one more friendly—against Cambodia—on Nov. 14 at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Save for a few battle-weary players who figured in the FA League Cup final last Thursday, the Azkals looked primed to give the Thais a huge challenge.

“There are players who look tired and there are players who probably need more training so these are some concerns,” said Azkals coach Thomas Dooley. “We still have a lot to work on with our play and our fitness.”

Fresh off their FA League Cup win, Ceres stars Patrick Reichelt, Juani Guirado, Manny Ott and Jeffrey Christiaens return to the PH side after missing the game against Nepal last week.