MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Philippine Azkals are pleased with the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Football field where their home game against Sri Lanka in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers will take place.
“I’ve been playing here since I was 10 years old… this is the first time I’ve ever played in these kind of conditions… this is so good,” Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo said.
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) worked on the rehabilitation of the 77-year-old stadium for the Philippines vs Sri Lanka home game on July 3.
The PFF had the holes in the old pitch filled to prevent the players from being injured. Even the grass on the field has been trimmed.
Borromeo said that he and his team are eager to play in front of their countrymen now that the stadium has been repaired.
“We think about it everyday… we're so excited,” he said.
Before the home game, the Azkals will be playing Sri Lanka in Colombo on June 29.
Filipino-British striker Phil Younghusband is also exited to rejoin his team after rehabbing his injury.
He joined the Azkals’ practice at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Younghusband hadn't been with the team since March 15 after suffering a torn hamstring.
“[I’m] so happy… I’ll be getting stronger,” said Younghusband.
The PFF is now mapping out the seating plan in the football stadium in preparation for the home game.
The stadium, which can accommodate up to 30,000 people, has played host to several international football games.
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