Azkals in Cebu for team building

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals are in Cebu for a team building activity and training before leaving for Germany for their final preparation for the first leg of the World Cup qualifier set this June 29 in Sri Lanka.

A total of 15 players led by skipper Ally Borromeo plus the coaching staff led by their German head coach Michael Hans Weiss are here.

Goalkeeper, Neil Etheridge and Anton del Rosario are set to arrive today while brothers James and Phil Younghusband are set to arrive on the 29th due to other commitments in Manila, said Jojo Rodriguez, the team’s administrative officer.

The team is set to do a commercial shoot today and tomorrow somewhere in Mactan Island for a pain killer.

On the 28th, the Azkals will have a city tour with the last stop at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City to hold a football clinic.

The clinic will involve the Little Azkals and some players from different schools and clubs here who were invited by the Cebu Football Association.

The training will continue on the 29th at ASF before they proceed to the University of San Carlos-Technological campus in Talamban to grace the awarding ceremonies of the Cebu Amateur Football Club’s 11th National Inter-Club Football Cup.

The Azkals are also set to pay a courtesy call on Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia on the 30th before leaving for Manila on the 31st.

On the other hand, Fil-British Chad Gould’s chances of rejoining the Azkals have become very slim according to RP head coach, Weiss.

“Let’s see how fast his recovery will be, but the chances are very slim,” Weiss said in a short interview with some members of the Cebu press in a lunch sponsored by CAFC at the Grand Convention Center.

Gould dropped off the England Beach Soccer Tour in favor of the Azkals, only to be sidelined after suffering an infection due to mosquito bite during training in Manila.

The final line-up of the Azkal versus Sri Lanka will be known only after the team’s training in Germany since some of the team members are still abroad.

“A couple of guys are still in Europe and they will join the team in Germany so it’s hard to tell right now who will be in the final line-up,” Weiss said.

On the 30th, the Azkals will be at Ayala Center Cebu from 4pm to 6pm.

The team will be meeting the fans at the Terraces where a mini pitch will be set up for the fans to meet the team members.

The Little Azkals, the country’s Under-13 team will also be there.

For more details, one may visit the Privileges Desk or call the Concierge at (032) 516-2035 or 231-5342 loc 324. – THE FREEMAN