2 suspended Azkals may get to play vs Kuwait

With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

AFC requests FIFA to rescind Azkals' suspensions

MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) – The Philippine Azkals received some good news amid their arrival in Kuwait, as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has requested FIFA to rescind the suspensions of team captain Aly Borromeo and midfielder Stephan Schrock.

"Pursuant to Article 37 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code governing the cancellation of caution, AFC would like to request to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to cancel the aforesaid cautions that were received by the said players," said AFC General Secretary Alex Soosay in a letter addressed to FIFA Director of Legal Affairs Marco Villiger.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Nonong Araneta said that while Borromeo and Schrock have not yet been cleared to play by FIFA, the endorsement showed that AFC is supporting PFF's request.

“At least the AFC is supporting us,” Araneta said.

Araneta explained that the PFF initially wrote AFC to ask them to allow Borromeo and Schrock to play. But AFC advised them to write to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

Upon writing to FIFA, the PFF was informed that their request will have to be endorsed by AFC.

“We wrote to AFC and they wrote an appeal to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to lift the sanction,” Araneta said. “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will make the final decision.”

Azkals now in Kuwait

After 2 practice games in Bahrain, the Azkals arrived in Kuwait on Wednesday for the 1st leg of their 2nd round World Cup Qualifier.

The Azkals will play the Kuwaiti team, the Al-Azraq, on Saturday, but they arrived in the Middle East early to acclimate themselves to the intense heat.

Despite losing both tune-up games against Bahrain’s Under-23 Olympic team, the Azkals were able to prepare for their upcoming match against Kuwait.

"Gagawin namin lahat, hindi kami basta-basta magpapatalo," said Azkals co-captain Chieffy Caligdong. "Kailangan ipakita natin sa kanila na iba yung football sa Pilipinas."

The team is still not yet complete as Neil Etheridge and Ray Johnsson have yet to arrive in Kuwait. Defender Rob Gier arrived Wednesday morning.

But Paul Mulders and Jerry Lucena will also be unable to play in the 1st leg.

Team manager Dan Palami has also expressed his gratitude to the Filipino fans who have come out to support the Azkals.

"Nagpapasalamat kami sa pinakikitang suporta ng mga kababayan natin, first in Bahrain and then in Kuwait," said Palami.