World Cup vet Thomas Dooley named Azkals’ coach

Thomas Dooley

MANILA, Philippines — Thomas Dooley, a World Cup veteran, was officially named the new head coach of the Philippine men’s football team on Friday.

Dooley, who flew in to Manila on Thursday to ink the deal with the Azkals management and the Philippine Football Federation, faced the media at the PFF office in Pasig.

“I’m very honored, humbled and very excited to take this task,” said the 52-year-old Dooley, who played 81 timed for the United States.

First order of business for Dooley, who also skippered the Americans in the World Cup, is the Azkals’ build-up for the AFC Challenge Cup in May.

“The goal that we have in the coming months is winning the Challenge cup. I’m very happy to take this task. It will not be easy,” he also said.

“This is the most important thing for me. I don’t even think of the Asian Cup yet. I’m taking it step by step. The clear goal is to win the Challenge cup.”

Team manager Dan Palami believes that Dooley’s hiring has improved the Filipino booters’ shot at a deep run in the Challenge Cup.

“We’ve always been saying the task at hand is for us to win the Challenge cup, and we are certainly ensuring the preparation will be adequate. With the entry of coach Thomas, the chances have gotten better,” said Palami.

PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, who assured the federation’s support for the new coach, said that Dooley’s initial contract will be for a year.

“He’s gonna coach the AFC Challenge cup, then the AFF Suzuki Cup, and if we win all the way to the Asian Cup in 2015 in Sydney,” he said.

“With this credentials, we hope he will be up to the task. He will have the full support of the federation,” Araneta added.

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