Azkals looking forward to playing Real Madrid

Peter Atencio - Manila Standard Today

FOOTBALL officials are upbeat of the possibility of Real Madrid making an appearance in the Philippines and playing a series of friendlies with the Azkals.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said this yesterday after getting confirmation from Nepal and Singapore that their national teams are ready to play tuneup matches, with the Azkals.

“It would be great if Mr. (Manny) Pangilinan will be able to bring Real Madrid here in the Philippines. It’s going to be a first. Imagine, having one of the biggest football clubs in Europe and in the world coming here,” said Araneta.

Pangilinan earlier confirmed that exploratory talks are now going on with top officials of Real Madrid over the possibility of their basketball and football teams to come the Philippines.

Real Madrid is considered as one of the most successful clubs in Spain, having won 31 Liga title.

The team also owns 18 Spanish “Copa del Rey” Cups, eight Spanish Super Cups, a Copa Eva Duarte and a Copa de la Liga.

They also have a record of nine United Europe Football Association Champions Leagues, two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup crown and three Intercontinental Cups.

The team is bannered by Brazilian ace Cristiano Ronaldo, one of their highest-paid players, who has scored 69 goals out of the 64 appearances he made with the team.

Meanwhile, the Azkals are scheduled to have a friendly encounter with Nepal on Oct. 7, 7 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial football pitch.

Their friendly with Singapore will be on Oct. 11 in Singapore.

All-Nepal Football Association President Ganesh Thapa earlier informed Araneta that their national squad will face the Azkals when they tour the ASEAN region. On the other hand, Singapore FA president Winston Lee confirmed their tuneup with the Azkals with Araneta.

Nepal’s game will be part of the Azkals’ preparation for the South Asian Football Federation Championship, scheduled in December in India.

The Philippine Azkals, and the national under-23 team, are currently in Bacolod to play friendlies with school squads. They are getting ready to see action in the Southeast Asian Games.

President Thapa said that Nepal National team is all set to tour Philippines on Oct. 11, before going to Cambodia to take on Cambodia U-23 on Oct. 28.