Faint hopes for two key Azkals stars

MANILA—The Asian Football Confederation has directed the Philippine Football Federation to elevate its appeal on the suspension of Borromeo and Schrock to the International Football Federation Disciplinary Committee.

Borromeo, a rock on defense, and Schrock, the dynamic attacking midfielder, picked up two yellow cards in the first round tie against Sri Lanka, which the Azkals eliminated, 5-1, on aggregate.

“It’s a sign of hope,” PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said of the AFC’s move.

Araneta was set to forward the appeal to Fifa yesterday, citing the spirit of fair play.

He pointed out that the Philippines needed to play a first round qualifying match unlike Kuwait, which was seeded in the second round.

Two yellow cards in the same round merit an automatic suspension, but the AFC, in its letter to the PFF, said “the Fifa Disciplinary Committee may exceptionally depart from the rule.”

Despite his suspension, Borromeo will join the Azkals in Kuwait for the first leg to scout the Middle East team in preparation for the second leg in Manila on July 28.

“I think I’ll play a bigger role,” said Borromeo. “It will be a good experience to see our strengths and weaknesses from the stands.”

Borromeo will be missing a match for the first time since the Azkals lost to Turkmenistan, 0-5, in the AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives in 2009.

Chieffy Caligdong, who is expected to assume the captaincy in lieu of Borromeo, said the Azkals are keeping their focus on Kuwait amid what he said were “baseless” rape rumors against four of his teammates.

Meanwhile, Suzuki Philippines will explore the possibility of helping sponsor the Under-23 team bound for the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November.

“We are finding ways to help the team,” said Suzuki Philippines president Satoshi Uchida yesterday at the contract signing of the “Hometown Heroes” campaign.