By FRANCIS SANTIAGO - Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Football Federation has invited Malaysia and India to play the Azkals in October at home in friendly matches serving as preview of the national team’s two important competitions next year.
PFF chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta Jr. Friday said the invitation to the two squads came after Nepal turned down the PFF’s invite for an Oct. 6 exhibition match at the Rizal Memorial Football Field.
Playing against Malaysia and India, ranked No. 146 and No. 153 in the International Football Federation (Fifa), will give the Filipinos an opportunity to gauge their level of competitiveness as they will get to test the mettle of their future rivals in the AFF-Suzuki Cup and AFC-Challenge Cup, according to Araneta.
“We’ve invited India for an Oct. 6 date while Malaysia for Oct. 9,” said Araneta, noting that a response from Malaysia is expected in the next two days.
Malaysia, which beat Indonesia in the finals on 4-2 aggregate, is the reigning Suzuki Cup champion. The tourney is the same event where the Azkals’ brush with fame started following their historic semifinals finish last year.
India, on the other hand, is the 2008 Challenge Cup champion.
India alongside the Philippines, Nepal and five other countries, will play in the finals of the 2012 edition slated this March.
Araneta said Nepal, the host of Challenge Cup finals, declined the invite because the schedule runs in conflict with the Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival of the year, which will keep the Nepalese booters busy.
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