Cohesion is one issue that worries Coach Michael Weiss for this year’s Long Teng Cup to be held in Kaohsiung, Chinese-Taipei. According to some reports, Coach Weiss said that they are lacking in some areas though they are making progress. This statement stemmed from the fact that the Azkals will be bannered by 10 mainstays of Azkals and 10 members of the Southeast Asian Games U-23 pool. With this line up Coach Weiss is hoping that they will improve the Philippines’ third place finish last year.
Aly Borromeo, Chieffy Caligdong, Phil and James Younghusband, Roel Gener, Angel Guirado, Misagh Bahadoran, Ian Araneta, Jason de Jong and Eduard Sacapano will provide the experience to the Phl side.
New recruits are Fil-Spanish Carli De Murga, Fil-British siblings Mark and Matthew Hartmann, Fil-Germans Roland Muller and Oliver Poetschke, and U-23 players Lemuel Unabia, Reymark Fernandez, Jeff Christiaens and Nickson Leonora, who will fill in for Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock and Paul Mulders.
The Azkals arrived in Kaohshiung yesterday and will kick off their campaign against Hong Kong on Sept. 30.
The Long Teng Cup will be televised on local TV channel Studio 23 and Balls. Below are the games schedule.
September 30
Philippines vs HongKong 4:30 p.m. (Studio 23)
October 2
Philippines vs Chinese Taipei 7 p.m. (Studio 23)
October 4
Philippines vs Macau 3pm(Kick off @ 4:30pm) on Studio 23
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