Gier, Mulders rejoin Azkals training camp

Two more key players will rejoin the Philippine football team as it enters the final week of its preparation for the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifying clash against Sri Lanka.

The Azkals will be boosted by the arrival of Filipino-British defender and the return of Fil-Dutch attacking midfielder Paul Mulders in the team’s camp in Duren, Germany, as they continue their buildup for the June 29 and July 3 matches against the Sri Lankans.

The last phase of the Azkals’ preparations will include a duel with FC Ingolstadt on Monday and Darmstadt, a German third division side, on Friday.

The Azkals, fueled by strong attacking combinations, have shown stellar form in their first two test matches in the Germany camp, winning via 4-1 scorelines over Duren selection and the Under-19 side of Bonner SC.

An experienced defender, who once played in England’s second-tier league, the 30-year-old Gier will join the team on Tuesday, a day after Mulders returns to the squad following a short bereavement leave.

Filipino-Danish Jerry Lucena already joined the team late last week, but a source in Germany said Ray Jonsson could miss the game against Ingolstadt as he will play for his club in Iceland.
Another, Filipino-Danish player, leftback Dennis Cagara remains unsure if he can still join the camp and make the trip to Colombo and Manila for the match.