PFF eyes breakthru SEAG feat

MANILA, Philippines – While the Azkals seniors team is gearing up for their 2014 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is also preparing to form the strongest possible U-23 squad eyeing a breakthrough medal in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).

Azkals team manager and PFF national teams committee chairman Dan Palami said they are in the process of identifying possible recruits from the ongoing PFF Suzuki Cup U-23 championships, who will eventually hook up with candidates from abroad and Azkals stalwarts for the November SEAG.

“We’re already preparing for the SEA Games and we’re doing our best to form the best U-23 team,” Palami said of the team that will also be handled by Azkals mentor Michael Weiss and bannered by seven or eight Azkals led by 21-year-old Fil-British goalie Neil Etheridge.

The Phl men’s football team has not won a medal in the biennial Games.

“A gold medal is something we can aspire for but winning a medal will be good enough for us; it will still be baby steps but at least we’re moving forward,” Palami said.

From his scouting and tryout activities in Nagold, Germany, Weiss reported possible recruits in Patrick Reichelt, a striker who scored five goals for Cottbus second team in the Nagold International Football tournament, and Oliver Poetschke, a strong central defender.

“I might consider them to come to Manila to our camp,” Weiss said in an email.

The PFF is hoping to gain momentum from a string of success by the Azkals seniors crew.

“So far, we’ve achieved what we set our sights on, like making the semis of the AFF Suzuki Cup and the main draw of the AFC Challenge Cup. I hope our luck will continue in the SEA Games, where success will be tangible and measured by a medal,” Palami said.