Azkals friendly vs Vietnam cancelled

Philippine Azkals singing the National anthem. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The Philippine Azkals won’t be having much preparation before they face North Korea to continue itstheir 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying journey.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) general secretary Atty. Ed Gastanes announced that the international friendly between the Azkals and Vietnam, which was originally slated on October 3, has been cancelled.

Gastanes explained that the date fell outside of the international window, which starts on October 5.

Fifa has specific dates on its calendar where international friendlies can be played and clubs can release its players for national team duties.

Also, Global FC stalwarts like Misagh Bahadoran, Daisuke Sato, and Amani Aguinaldo are going to be unavailable for the supposed friendly as the 2014 United Football League champs will play Japanese side Albirex Niigata in the semifinals of the 2015 Singapore Cup.

The Azkals return to the pitch on October 8 against Group H leaders North Korea in Pyongyang.