PFF appeals suspension of 2 Azkals

BY BONG PEDRALVEZ - Malaya Business Insight

THE Philippine Football Federation has appealed the one-game suspension of team captain Aly Borromeo and Fil-German midfielder Stefan Schrock, who were slapped two yellow cards in the Azkals’ first round qualifying series against Sri Lanka, to the Asian Football Confederation.

"We made the appeal to the AFC in the spirit of fair play and with the belief that we are severely handicapped without Borromeo and Schrock after having played two matches against Sri Lanka while Kuwait was awaiting us," PFF Mariano Araneta Jr. explained.

The Azkals advanced to the second round–a history first by a national team –after whipping the Sri Lankan Red Devils by a 5-1 aggregate in the home-and-away series, capped by a convincing 4-0 shutout last July 3 at the packed Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Borromeo and Schrock were slapped their second yellow cards in the return match after being booked with one each in the away leg held in Colombo last June 23.

The nationals play the opening leg against Kuwait in Kuwait City on July 23 before returning home for the second match on July 28 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

"We know the Kuwaitis are superior over the Filipinos already even without these two key players, so we are making this appeal hoping the AFC will allow us to play at full strength and given at least a chance," Araneta said.

With the certain return of Fil-Danish midfielder Jerry Lucena, who saw action for the country in the Asian Challenge Cup group tournament in Myanmar last April, the Filipino booters may survive the loss of Schrock, who is uncertain to play even if his ban is lifted because of commitments to his German club Greuter Furth.

The absence of Borromeo, however, will not only leave a gaping hole in the Philippine backline but also without a proven leader on the pitch.

If his suspension stays, midfielder Chieffy Caligdong has been tasked to be the skipper.

Fil-Icelander Ray Jonsson, who plays left back, will also be back for the Azkals.