'Azkals' are set to arrive in Bahrain

By PATRICK SALOMON - The Gulf-Daily News

BROTHERS Phil and James Younghusband will lead the Philippine senior men's national team that is scheduled to arrive in Bahrain tomorrow for the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games.

The complete roster of the visiting 27-player Filipino squad, known more popularly as 'the Azkals', was revealed yesterday to the GDN by the organizers. They will be travelling with 12 officials.

'The Azkals' will be playing two friendly matches against Bahrain's under-23 Olympic squad. The first will be on Saturday at the National Stadium in Riffa, followed by the next on Monday at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad.

Arguably

The Younghusbands, arguably two of the most popular 'Azkals', will be joined in Bahrain by teammates Robert Gier, Manuel Ott, Paul Mulders, Jason De Jong, Simon Greatwich, Emelio Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Jason Sabio, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and skipper Alexander Borromeo, to name a few.

'Azkals' head coach Hans Michael Weiss of Germany will also be with the team.

Creator Marketing Consultancy are organising the Friendship Games, with the approval of the Bahrain Football Association and the Philippine Football Federation. AMA International University Bahrain are the event's major sponsors.

Along with their two friendlies, 'the Azkals' will feature in a practice match on Sunday against AMA's varsity football team. It will be held at the National Stadium, and entrance is free. Tickets for both friendly matches against Bahrain's Olympic squad are now available. They can be purchased at Hot Pot Restaurant, Shawarma Express, Ric's Kountry Kitchen, Borakay, Bahay Kubo, Chuckay, Philippine Friends, Kempura, Kowloon, Lolita's Bakery, Joni's Bakery, Sahari Computer, Electronic World, Zen's Flower, Natasha, Foto Magic, Grand Optics, Nonoo Exchange, Impressions Beauty Salon and Spa, Yum Chow Asian Cuisine, Dabarkads Restaurant, and Fakhrawi Framing. Both games start at 7pm. For further inquiries and ticket reservations, call Rem on 36064822, Chris on 37768683, Rene on 39678323, Edith on 39678313, Nino on 36271121 or Rod on 36598588.

Bahrain's Olympic team will be using the friendly matches to help prepare for their upcoming campaign in the main round of Asian qualifying for next year's London Olympic Games.

Full roster of visiting 'Azkals'

Players: Eduard Sacapa–o, Jose Paolo Pascual, Anton Edward Del Rosario, Alexander Borromeo, Roel Gener, Jason Sabio, Emelio Caligdong, Misagh Bahadoran, James Younghusband, Phil Younghusband, Manuel Ott, Angel Aldeguer, Ian Araneta, Nathaniel George Burkey, Jason De Jong, Yannick Tuason, Simon Greatwich, John Patrick Hinrichsen, Nestorio Margarse Jr, O J Porteria, Neil Etheridge, Robert Gier, Paul Mulders, Ray Jonsson, Jerry Lucena, Dennis Cagara, James Hall. Officials: Dan Palami, Hans Michael Weiss, Edwin Cabalida, Edzel Bracamonte, Patrick Ace Bright, Richard Pacana, Josef Malinay, Walfred Javier, Antonio Peneredondo, Chester Benedict Pelino, Rolando Pinero, Cedelf Tupaz. Friendship Games sponsors: AMA, Ponderosa, Bennigan's, Shawarma Express, Staz, Yum Chow Asian Cuisine, Fakhrawi Frames, Caravan, Nonoo Exchange, Treobiz, Fil-Am Association, McDonald's, Zens Flower, Dabarkads Restaurant, Fitness First, Impression Beauty Salon and Spa, Sahari Computer, Hot Pot Restaurant, Bahay Kubo Restaurant, Houras Consultancy, Chuckay Restaurant, GDN and Abante Middle East.