Azkals kick off US training vs Inferno

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine Azkals pool composed of returning veterans, new faces, and youngsters filling in for absent top guns sets out today (Manila time) when it plays the Chicago Inferno at the Joe Bean Stadium in Chicago.

Coach Michael Weiss described this bunch as a “young highly motivated team” and predicted they will put up a good show against the Inferno, a Premier Developmental League club.

“We have a bigger pool now and we’re getting to know the new guys,” said Weiss, whose group has been in Chicago for a week already as kickoff of their preparations for November’s AFF Suzuki Cup.

The Azkals will be without Europe-based pros like Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, and Paul Mulders, and Manila-based stars Phil and James Younghusband, who all begged off due to previous commitments.

Leading the charge are old reliable Chieffy Caligdong and comebacking skipper Aly Borromeo and Chris Greatwich. Borromeo is expected to play his first game for Phl XI after his ACL injury last year, while Greatwich, hero of the Azkals’ run to a breakthrough semifinals in the 2010 Suzuki Cup, has been reactivated.