AFF proposes new W Cup q’fying dates

AWARE of a looming conflict in schedule with the Southeast Asian Games in June, a move to postpone the World Cup Qualifying matches of countries in the region has been proposed by the Asean Football Federation.

Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta said the AFF has written the Asian Football Confederation to request for a postponement of WCQ matches involving Southeast Asian countries.

The SEA Games runs from June 5 to 16 in the city-state of Singapore while the first two WCQ qualifying match days for Asian countries are scheduled on June 11 and 16.

Several players for the Azkals are expected to be tapped for the SEA Games—an Under-23 competition—including Amani Aguinaldo, Daisuke Sato, Kenshiro Daniels and OJ Porteria.

“Many players in our national team will be involved in the SEA Games,” said Araneta.