Azkals coach says team can make history

Philippine coach Scott Cooper has big ambitions for the Azkals even as he vowed to form a team that will “never be bullied” in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers kicking off in September.

Having spent the last year working behind the scenes, Cooper got a front row seat on the Azkals’ runs in the AFF Suzuki Cup and the AFC Asian Cup and believes the squad has more to offer this time in the qualifying tournament for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“If all goes planned, we think we can finish in the Top 2 in the group, we would have to win all our home games and make sure you get something away from home,” said Cooper. “That’s going to be our perspective. We will try to be difficult to play against especially against the big teams in our group.”

The Azkals are bunched with China, Syria, Maldives and Guam in Group A of the qualifying tournament that also stakes spots in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.