MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals arrived last night with a little fanfare as their mission has not yet been accomplished.
Standing on their way to a first ever Finals appearance in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup is a very familiar foe – the Singapore Lions.
The Lions came out from a deep 0-2 hole against luckless Laos in their match yesterday to win a gutsy come-from-behind 4-3 victory that enabled them to top Group B on goal difference against defending champions Malaysia. The huge win earned them a chance to get back at the Azkals, who twice defeated them in friendlies leading to the tournament.
The Azkals are hoping that their streak of luck against the Lions continue as they prepare to host them on Saturday 8pm at the historic Rizal Memorial Football Stadium for the first ever Suzuki Cup home match in the country to be aired live by Sports 5's AKTV on IBC.
The Azkals won in Singapore 2-0 last September before repeating with a 1-nil win in Cebu last Nov. 15.
Denied of a home match in 2010 Suzuki Cup semis against Indonesia due to lack of suitable venues, Philippine Football Federation with the help of the Philippine Sports Commission made sure, this time, there will be no hitches.
“We put in additional lights to pass the 1,200 lumens requirement and did some minor work to even the field,” PFF communications head Ebong Joson said.
“Thankfully, the PFF and the Local Organizing Committee has had a lot of practice because of all our friendlies and the Peace Cup so we are ready. The main challenge is ticket distribution,” Joson added.
The “official game tickets” will arrive tomorrow (Monday) from Thai Ticket Major but reservation on all Ticketworld outlets is already available.
Ticket prices to the much awaited Suzuki Cup semis home match of the Azkals against the Lions are Php 3,000 (Center Lower Grand Stand), Php 2,000 (Side Lower Grand Stand and Center Upper Grand Stand), Php 1,000 (Side Upper Grand Stand), Php 500 (White Bleachers), Php 300 (Blue and Green Bleachers).
Bleachers ticket reservations can also be made at PFF via email (pff.reserve@gmail.com) especially for bulk purchase of 25 or more.