Azkals coach Michael Weiss.
Armed with more experience and more games together, the Philippine Azkals leave for Bangkok Tuesday with high hopes that they can put up a strong showing in the AFF Suzuki Cup, the same tournament that served as launching pad to the renaissance of football in the country two years ago.
The Azkals went on to make the semifinals two years ago with little expectations, but it will be a different story this time with the country seen as a contender in the most prestigious tournament in the region.
“I think we have prepared well and have experienced players which gives us a lot of confidence,” said striker Phil Younghusband, who scored two goals in the Azkals’ run to the semifinals in 2010.
The Azkals will still have four days before they kick off their campaign against host and three-time champion Thailand on Saturday and coach Michael Weiss said the time left will be spent working on the finer details of their battleplan.
Aside from Thailand, the Azkals are also grouped with 2008 champion Vietnam and Myanmar.
“We’ll have four sessions in Thailand and it will be intense,” said Weiss.