Azkals face Malaysians in friendly

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines, preparing for its toughest tournament yet, tests the finest team in Southeast Asia in a Fifa-sanctioned international friendly Wednesday night.

Malaysia, a team that has won every major football title in the region the past two years, returns to the Rizal Memorial Stadium for the first time since its 1991 Southeast Asian Games team lost to the Philippines.

The two teams reached the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup two years ago—the tournament that sparked the renaissance of the sport in the country—but the Azkals fell to Indonesia, which eventually lost to Malaysia in the finals.

“It’s a massive match to see the development and where we stand against a very strong opponent,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss, whose squad is toughening up for the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal starting March 9.

“It’s a good test, and we’re not looking for anything but a win,” said Filipino-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge who arrived from London Sunday night.

“We were gutted two years ago to get knocked out (in the Suzuki Cup),” said Phil Younghusband. “It’s about moving forward and there’s no better way than playing the champions.”

Younghusband and older brother James return to the national side after missing the match against the Australia Olympic team two weeks ago, while defender Rob Gier could make an appearance after being sidelined by an injury.

Chieffy Caligdong is expected to be rested, while another vital cog of that Suzuki Cup team, Aly Borromeo, remains out because of a knee injury, along with Europe-based players Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara—who are all tied up with their clubs.

Jason de Jong and Angel Guirado are expected to start along with defenders Ray Jonsson, Carli de Murga, Juani Guirado and Jason Sabio, who impressed Weiss during the Middle East tour.

The Azkals are playing their first international friendly at home since October last year when they beat Nepal, 4-0.

“We are very strong when we play at home,” said Weiss.

Malaysia coach Datuk Krishnasamy Rajagopal has brought in Suzuki Cup heroes Safee Sali and Safiq Rahim, who earned a trial with Cardiff City last year.

Also in the lineup is Baddrol Bakthiol, who captained Malaysia to the SEA Games title in Indonesia late last year.