RCJ, GMA News
The Philippine Azkals football team is going to Iloilo to play in an exhibition from May 23 to 24.
This was confirmed by Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr.
“It is more of a practice match," Araneta said, according to a report on Iloilo-based The Daily Guardian (http://thedailyguardian.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24181&Itemid=1).
The Azkals team is now undergoing training for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which is scheduled in June and July.
The team will face Sri Lanka in a two-leg qualifying match. The first game will be held in Sri Lanka on June 29 and while the second will be staged at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on July 3.
During their visit, the Azkals are expected to show their collective strength and agility as they play the CPU International Football Team in Barotac Nuevo on May 24.
While most of the Azkals are Ilonggos, this will be the first time the team will play in Iloilo after the team’s historic run in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup.
Among those Iloilo-based players include co-captain Emilio “Chieffy" Caligdong, striker Ian Araneta, Mark Ferrer, Joebel Bermejo, Nestorio Margase, Roel Gener, Yanti Barsales, and Richard Becite III.
Araneta said Iloilo Rep. Ferj Biron had asked if the Azkals could play in Barotac Nuevo, considered as the Philippine football capital.
He urged the Ilonggos to watch and support the national team.
“We should rally behind them and be proud that majority of them are Ilonggos," he said.
The Azkals are expected to arrive in Iloilo on May 23 and will hold a half-day practice in the town of Sta. Barbara before playing in Barotac Nuevo.
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