Weiss inks 6-month extension with PFF

Finally putting to rest uncertainties over his immediate future, German coach Michael Weiss finally agreed to terms with the Philippine Football Federation for a six-month extension to handle the national team, which plays its next important tournament in March.

Weiss told the Inquirer yesterday that he has been assured of a longer tenure if the Azkals advance from the group qualifying tournament of the AFC Challenge Cup next month when the country host the Group E hostilities involving Turkmenistan, Cambodia and Brunei.

The German coach, who steered the Azkals to a third-place finish in the Challenge Cup and a second straight semifinal finish in the AFF Suzuki Cup, has been in talks with the PFF for an extension over the past month but it wasn’t until last Monday when he signed the contract.

“I understand that we have not much time as in previous years,” said Weiss on his extension. “It is normal that if the team doesn’t perform, someone should take responsibility and right now we must take quick steps.”

Weiss said his target remains the AFC Asian Cup in two years time for the Azkals. He can only do that with a successful qualifying campaign in Manila that will lead to a berth in the main Challenge Cup tournament in the Maldives next year. The champion of the Challenge Cup earns an outright berth to the Asian Cup in Australia.

The qualifiers are set from March 22 to 26 and Weiss admitted that preparations have been far from ideal. Weiss has hardly had time to train his local-based players with the United Football League underway and all his other standouts based overseas.

The Azkals will train under Weiss for the next three weekends, starting Friday. The PFF is also eyeing a friendly with Hong Kong next month for the Azkals’ final tuneup match before the qualifiers.