Azkals lose to Uzbekistan, 0-3

PREPARING FOR AFC CHALLENGE CUP. The Azkals lost the first of three friendly matches in the 10-day training tour in the Middle East. In this photo, they are shown winning during a friendly match with Nepal’s team in October last year in Manila. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine national football team, Azkals, lost to the Uzbekistan Olympic Team, 0-3, according to television reports early Sunday.

The friendly match that started at 12 midnight (Philippine time) took place at Maktoum Stadium Al Nasr Sports Club in Dubai, which was attended by hundreds of overseas Filipino workers and a few visiting Filipino celebrities.

On their Middle East tour, the Azkals will be seen again on February 13, Monday, at Doha, Qatar, for another friendly with the Al Ahli Sports Club team.

They will be back to Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on February 16 to compete with Qantas Australian U-23s football team.

The Azkals is on a 10-day training tour in the Middle East in preparation for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup which will take place in Nepal from March 8 to March 19.

“The Azkals needs a lot of shaping up to do,” says a female TV host at the end of Sunday’s game.