The Philippine men’s football team is set to get a huge boost from two overseas-based standouts as it continues its buildup for the 2014 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup with a friendly against India in Siliguri on Friday.
Hoping to avoid a rout like the 0-4 beating at the hands of an elite United Arab Emirates side last Saturday, the Azkals are bringing in big guns Stephan Schrock and Roland Muller to shore up their roster against another tough foe.
Kickoff is at 9 p.m. with the Filipino booters hoping to close out their Middle East tour on a winning note.
The 137th-ranked Azkals are expected to have a relatively easier time against the Indians, who are ranked 154th in the world, far lower the 71st-ranked Arabs.
It will be the first meeting against India since March last year in the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal where the Azkals scored a 2-0 victory.
It will be the two teams' fourth meeting overall, with India still holding a 2-1 win-loss edge.
Schrock last played for the Azkals in the Philippine Peace Cup last September, while Muller makes his return to national duty after suiting up in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers earlier this year.
Muller is expected to start on goal despite homegrown Ed Sacapaño’s superb showing against UAE.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
