by Peter Atencio - Manila Standard Today
RAIN or shine, the second stage of the World Cup Qualifying match between the Philippine Azkals national football team and the Sri Lanka Brave Reds will go on as scheduled.
WCQ Philippines general coordinator Cathy Rivilla said this yesterday after conferring with Philippine football officials on the conditions of the pitch at the Rizal Memorial Track Football in Vito Cruz.
“The field is playable. Only the referee can stop the game,” remarked Rivilla after she and Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta watched as heavy rains drenched the grass-covered playing area from the comforts of the stadium’s observation deck.
Rainwater, which flooded the surrounding streets of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, did not flood the pitch though and simply trickled down to the hidden drainage ditches around the area.
Rivilla, who was also accompanied by organizing committee chairman Bonnie Ladrido, expressed satisfaction over the way the pitch is taking on the rains.
“See the field? There is no pool of water,” added Araneta during a briefing with scribes, crediting the La Salle community for helping in the renovation of the pitch.
Constant monitoring of the field since the rainy season began, according to Rivilla, has allowed organizers to adjust to every contingency which would crop up.
Because of this, the pitch will also be recommended for use when the Philippine Azkals clash with Kuwait in their next home-and-away match this July.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Azkals suffered a 0-4 setback to FC Ingolstadt, a second division squad in Germany. It was their first loss in three tuneup games.
Fil-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was unable to deflect the German team’s last goal and accidentally scored an own-goal during a defensive play.
The Azkals will have one last game in Germany against third Division squad Darmstadt 98 on Friday.
They will fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday for the first leg of their FIFA World Cup group qualifier.
Meanwhile, a revamped Sri Lanka Brave Reds team promised to give the Azkals a difficult time when they face the nationals in their first encounter in Colombo on June 29 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
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