Cagara debuts for the Azkals against Nepal here

MANILA—Dennis Cagara, a highly-touted Fil-Danish defender, will make his home debut for the Philippines when the Azkals face Nepal in an international friendly on October 11 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Injuries and conflicts in schedule have delayed Cagara’s debut with the Azkals, whose last international match ended in a 1-3 defeat to Kuwait in the second round of World Cup qualifying.

This time, though, the former member of the Danish youth squad, who has played for Hertha Berlin in the German Bundesliga, has confirmed he is reinforcing what could be the strongest national side assembled.

The Nepal friendly will mark the first time that the Azkals will have a full complement of players since it falls on the international football break, Araneta said. Clubs are inclined to release players during the international break.

“(Dennis) Cagara will join us for two matches,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami. “He is a good addition to the team with his skills and experience.”

The Azkals will also face Singapore in another international friendly on October 7 in Singapore.

Meanwhile, The Philippine Football Federation  announced that tickets for the  international friendly will be sold starting October 1 through various Ticketworld outlets.

Local Organizing Committee chair Bonnie Ladrido said ticket prices range from P300 for side bleachers to P3,000 for the center area of the lower grandstand.

Prices for the side area of the upper and lower grandstand are pegged atP1,000 and P1,500, respectively. The center lower grandstand will still cost P2,000, while the center bleachers area tickets has been priced at P500.

As a measure to prevent the hoarding of tickets, Ladrido said they will limit purchases to a maximum of five per person.

PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said they needed to charge for tickets to augment the cost of hosting the Nepal national team and for bringing in the Azkals players from Europe, including goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Jerry Lucena, Paul Mulders, Ray Jonsson Manny Ott and Rob Gier.