Azkals eye Mid East training

BACOLOD CITY—Regardless of the result of the clash against Yemen in Asian Cup Qualifying Tuesday night, the Philippines is already planning another training camp in the Middle East next month to prepare for the return leg against the Yemenis who play home matches in Doha, Qatar.

Azkals manager Dan Palami believes a more intensive buildup will be key against Yemen in their Oct. 10 match. The Filipinos currently sit on top of Group F with six points from their first two matches.

“I think, to be safe, 12 points should see us through to the Asian Cup,” said Palami. “It also depends on the other games, but for us the objective is to win all of our games which will give us a lot of confidence going to the finals of the Asian Cup.”

After the Yemen match in Qatar, the Azkals still have two matches left in the third round—an away game against Nepal in Kathmandu on Nov. 14 and a home duel with Tajikistan on March 27.