Philippine Azkals ready for Sri Lanka, says Palami

MANILA—Just like in its international campaigns during the past year, the Philippine football team will be armed and ready for battle in its most important match yet.

This was the assurance of Azkals manager Dan Palami, who said that the training camp in Duren, Germany will be the key to their success against Sri Lanka in the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifying first round meeting.

“We’re not taking any chances against Sri Lanka,” said Palami Wednesday night during his birthday bash, which also turned out to be a testimonial dinner for retiring national player Yanti Barsales.

Palami, however, refused to make any predictions against a Sri Lankan team which remains an unknown entity for the Azkals.

“The best we could do is prepare the team the best way we can. I am confident, but Sri Lanka is also preparing for us,” said Palami, the man credited for the national team’s rise to prominence.

“I will only make a prediction as soon as I see how the team plays in Germany,” said Palami, who called the 3-4 loss to the United Football League All-Stars last Sunday as a good learning experience for the squad.

The Azkals leave tomorrow for Duren, where other players like Stephan Schrock, Manny Ott, Rob Gier, Ray Jonnson, Dennis Cagara, Angel Guirado and Jerry Lucena are expected to link up with the team.

Azkals coach Michael Weiss disclosed that Sri Lanka will be holding camp in Korea in preparation for the match against the Azkals.