MANILA, Philippines – Now that the Philippine Azkals already secured a slot in the 2012 Challenge Cup final group, they are setting their eyes on the most prestigious football stage: the FIFA World Cup.
The Azkals, who are coming off a successful stint in the Challenge Cup group stage, will be lined up for a home-and-away series of the World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The home-and-away series, scheduled on June 29 and July 3, will be the 1st round of the Asian qualifiers, according to ABS-CBN Sports.
The Azkals’ opponent will be announced in draw which will take place in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 30.
ABS-CBN Sports said the Azkals will have to go through 6 rounds of qualifiers before landing at the next FIFA World Cup in 2014, which will be held in Brazil.
FIFA World Cup, which is different from the AFC Challenge Cup, is held every four years. The current champion is Spain, which won the 2010 tournament.
Azkals back home
The Philippine Azkals were back in Manila early Sunday morning.
The Filipino booters had just survived the grueling Challenge Cup group stage, where they competed against Palestine, Bangladesh and host country Myanmar.
Led by Filipino-Spanish midfielder Angel Aldeguer Guirado and forward Ian Bayona Araneta, the Azkals finished second in Group A.
The Filipino booters were coming off 2 straight draws against Palestine and host Myanmar before battering Bangladesh, 3-0, in their final group stage game.
The much-needed victory over Bangladesh became the Azkals’ ticket to qualify in the 2012 Challenge Cup tournament proper.
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