Strong Teen Azkals eleven shaping up

Aspirants of the Teen Azkals, the Philippine Under-19 football squad, pose for a group picture with the coaching staff before the start of the week-long training camp cum tryouts that began at the EVIA City football field in Las Pinas City yesterday.

Hoping to also make an impact at the international level, the Philippine Under-19 football squad is laying the foundation in forming a strong lineup for the AFF Under-19 and AFC Under-19 Qualifying Tournament this year.

Dubbed the Teen Azkals, the team—made up mostly of standouts from last year’s Palarong Pambansa—held a weeklong camp recently at Evia City football field in Las Piñas.

Newcomers, including Fil-Australian goalkeeper Jaime Cheng, were also given a chance to show their wares during the camp that also served as a tryout.

“From this pool will come the national team that will compete in the AFF Under-19 and AFC Under-19 qualifiers that will be held later this year,” team manager Alvin Carranza said.

Head coach Marlon Maro said he is in the process of finalizing the team’s composition.

“We will assess how these players attack and defend in team formations as well as individually, and see if they can work within our system,” Maro said.