Azkals set 2 friendlies in February

The Philippines will be leaving no stone unturned in its buildup for the AFC Challenge Cup Group E qualifiers in March at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

A training camp in the Philippines and a couple of friendly matches have been lined up next month for the Azkals, who are targeting top spot in the group that will enable them to reach the main tournament in the Maldives next year.

The Azkals will face Myanmar in Yangon on Feb. 6 and could make a trip to Vietnam on Feb. 10 for another friendly.

The friendly against Vietnam is part of an earlier agreement with the Vietnamese Football Federation to play home-and-away matches against the Philippines this year, said Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta.

The priority, however, will be fielding a well-prepared team for the AFC event from March 22-26. The Azkals play Brunei in the opener and tangle with Cambodia two days later. Turkmenistan will be the Philippines’ last foe on  March 26.

Azkals manager Dan Palami hinted that among the Europe-based players, only defenders Rob Gier and Juani Guirado will be called up for the February friendlies.