Source: Daily Inquirer
MANILA---Mongolia has vowed to bounce back in Ulan Bator next month when it tries to overturn the Philippines' 2-0 lead in the second leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying duel.
The Mongolians have an edge because they are used to playing in cooler conditions, and head coach Sandagdorj Erdenebat is confident his team can pull of an upset.
The Azkals prevailed at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, thanks to well-taken goals by Chieffy Caligdong and Phil Younghusband.
Erdenebat, who left Bacolod with the Mongolian contingent just a few hours after the match, pointed out that the humid conditions may have sucked the energy out of his team.
The second leg of the qualifying series is set at 1 p.m. on March 15, and Mongolian team officials expect the game to be played in a sub-zero weather.
Former national team coach Aris Caslib said the priority for the Azkals is to get used to the weather conditions in Mongolia.
“Getting used to it is very important,” said Caslib, who has conducted coaching course in Mongolia.
The Mongolians will miss midfielder Pagamsuren Altantulga, who was sent off on two yellow cards on Wednesday.
But the Azkals could also miss goal keeper Neil Etheridge, who may be tied up with his squad, Fulham, in the English Premier League.
Defender Rob Gier is unsure of his status for Mongolia match, while midfielder Simon Greatwich is also doubtful because of his academic commitments in Hartwick College in New York.
The Azkals are taking a one-week respite from training with German coach Hans Michael Weiss flying to Japan to be with his family.
Team manager Dan Palami said that the squad will be training in Baguio City as well as in the artificial turf of the International School in Taguig.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has asked the Philippine Football Federation to submit a proposal for a possible sponsorship of its programs, according to PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
Pagcor's pledge comes after a memorandum of agreement for Smart Communication' sponsorship package of 80-million to the PFF for the next 10 years was signed last night.
The Mongolians have an edge because they are used to playing in cooler conditions, and head coach Sandagdorj Erdenebat is confident his team can pull of an upset.
The Azkals prevailed at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, thanks to well-taken goals by Chieffy Caligdong and Phil Younghusband.
Erdenebat, who left Bacolod with the Mongolian contingent just a few hours after the match, pointed out that the humid conditions may have sucked the energy out of his team.
The second leg of the qualifying series is set at 1 p.m. on March 15, and Mongolian team officials expect the game to be played in a sub-zero weather.
Former national team coach Aris Caslib said the priority for the Azkals is to get used to the weather conditions in Mongolia.
“Getting used to it is very important,” said Caslib, who has conducted coaching course in Mongolia.
The Mongolians will miss midfielder Pagamsuren Altantulga, who was sent off on two yellow cards on Wednesday.
But the Azkals could also miss goal keeper Neil Etheridge, who may be tied up with his squad, Fulham, in the English Premier League.
Defender Rob Gier is unsure of his status for Mongolia match, while midfielder Simon Greatwich is also doubtful because of his academic commitments in Hartwick College in New York.
The Azkals are taking a one-week respite from training with German coach Hans Michael Weiss flying to Japan to be with his family.
Team manager Dan Palami said that the squad will be training in Baguio City as well as in the artificial turf of the International School in Taguig.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has asked the Philippine Football Federation to submit a proposal for a possible sponsorship of its programs, according to PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
Pagcor's pledge comes after a memorandum of agreement for Smart Communication' sponsorship package of 80-million to the PFF for the next 10 years was signed last night.
An askal is a Filipino term for any dog with no pedigree, no breed, no class. The askal is usually astray, unsupported and survives by feeding on whatever provision it can find. The Filipino national football team can relate to this mongrel, they have almost no support from a government thats suppose to support them, they are underdogs not just only to the world but even in their own region, South East Asia.
Name: Angel Guirado Aldeguer
Stephan Schröck - nicknamed "Schröcky", is a German–Filipino professional footballer who plays as a right back for 2nd Bundesliga club SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
