PH Azkals continue rise in rankings

MANILA, Philippines — Buoyed by a run of stirring results, the Philippines is poised to achieve its highest ever position when the International Football Federation releases its rankings on Nov. 7.

The Azkals are projected to move up four places to No. 143, a huge confidence boost as the side braces for the AFF Suzuki Cup from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The projected ranking that will see the Philippines move up to second spot in the Southeast Asian region for the first time in history was posted on the reliable website www.football-rankings.info.

The Azkals played two matches in October, holding Asian powerhouse Bahrain to a scoreless draw in Manama and barely losing, 1-2, to Kuwait in Kuwait City as part of its Middle East camp in preparation for the Suzuki Cup.

Only 2008 Suzuki Cup champion Vietnam—a team the Philippines beat, 2-0, two years ago—is ahead of the Azkals in the rankings among SEA countries at No. 139. Vietnam’s ranking for the month could change however depending on the result of its friendly match against Malaysia on Saturday.

Azkals manager Dan Palami has actually set his sights on the No. 1 ranking in Southeast Asia before the end of the year, which can possibly happen with a victory in the Suzuki Cup.

“Hopefully, the Suzuki Cup result will open the door for us to play in tougher tournaments,” said Palami. “I’m seeing progress in terms of how we play and in terms of fitness level as well as in the quality of players. But we’re still trying to catch up with the rest of Asia.”

Thailand is expected to drop to an all-time low of 152, while Myanmar, which topped the AFF Suzuki Cup Qualifier that paved the way for its inclusion in Group A with the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, climbed to 156.