By FRANCIS SANTIAGO - Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — With Filipino-European players coming over, a complete Philippine football team will play a higher-ranked Nepal side in a friendly night match next month at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. said Nepal (136th in the world) has agreed to meet the Azkals (162nd) on Oct. 11 on the Filipinos’ turf as part of the South Asian nation’s preparation for the South
Asian Football Federation championship that begins in December.
“They have agreed to play here as they also plan to tour the ASEAN region for their preparation,” Araneta said of the Nepal team, which is expected to fly in the country on Oct. 9.
Araneta said the match is set at 7 p.m.
After the Philippines, Nepal will play the Cambodia Under-23 side on Oct. 28, according to report posted on www.goalnepal.com.
Before playing Nepal, the Azkals will collide with Singapore (129th) on Oct. 7 in another friendly match on the Lions’ turf, giving the Filipinos opportunity to gauge their level of competitiveness as they also prepare for the AFF-Suzuki Cup and AFC-
Challenge Cup next year, according to Araneta.
“We’re excited because we’re going to have a full line up during these times,” Araneta said referring to the Oct. 6-11 dates which was reserved by the International Football Federation (Fifa) for international friendly games.
During this period, professional clubs around the world allow their players to play for their national teams, allowing the likes of Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara to join the Azkals.
The PFF had earlier invited Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Oman and Qatar to play the Azkals, but all declined.
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