It is how it is, says Cooper of draw

FILE – The Philippine Azkals during their first training day in Doha, Qatar. Photo from Philippine Azkals Twitter

Philippines head coach Scott Cooper isn’t reading too much into the 2020 Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup draw, even though the Azkals were grouped in a nearly identical group from the one they played in three years ago.

The Philippines was lumped in Group A with Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore and the winner of the qualification round match between Timor-Leste and Brunei.

“I think we take it how it is … ironically, the last time we played in the Suzuki Cup, we had Singapore, Timor-Leste, who could be there, and Thailand,” said Cooper in the Philippine Football Federation’s Facebook post on Wednesday. “It’s almost like a replay of 2018.”

The Azkals played Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Timor-Leste in 2018.

“I never want to say I’m pleased with the draw but I’m not disappointed with the draw,” Cooper added.