OFWs in Bahrain, Kuwait Gear Up For Azkals as FIFA Keeps Watchful Eye

By Earl Victor Rosero, GMA News

Hundreds of Filipino expatriates in Bahrain and Kuwait have mobilized for the matches of the men's national football team, more popularly known as the Azkals, in these Persian Gulf countries.

The team is winding up its training sessions in Manila and will head out to the Middle East Thursday while the global football community keeps an eye on the Azkals' historic series of wins.

Overseas Filipino workers in the countries the Azkals will visit have been coordinating their preparations on Facebook and through text messages. The Facebook group Azkals in Bahrain has about 200 members. While some sell Azkals T-shirts and bumper stickers, others arrange bus rides that will ferry Filipinos to the First Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games.

The first friendly match of the Azkals with Bahrain's Under-23 olympic team will be on July 16 at the National Stadium in Rifa while Game 2 will be two days later at the Muharraq Club Stadium in Arad. Both matches are under the auspices of the Bahrain Football Association. The AMA University International Bahrain is listed as a major sponsor of the friendlies. Tickets to the games are priced at one Bahraini dinar or P114.

Over in Kuwait, northwest of Bahrain, Filipino expats there have set-up Facebook groups and event pages to coordinate their preparations and share information about the Azkals. Tickets to the World Cup Qualifier Round 2 match will be sold at two, three and five Kuwaiti dinars or P311, P467 and P770.

Some of the tickets will be available at various Filipino restaurants and stores in Kuwait City.

FIFA keeps watch

Going into Round 2 of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers, The Azkals have remained on the global radar of football, the FIFA website, where in another feature report, coach Michael Weiss and the team's preparations for their toughest match yet are highlighted.

FIFA took notice of the Azkals immediately after their historic victory over Sri Lanka in Round 1 last July 3. It was the Philippines, second attempt to qualify for the World Cup. The first try was during the 2002 cycle.

In the latest FIFA feature, Weiss took stock of the progress the team has made.

"The team have improved a great deal over the past months, particularly in regards to attitude. We have spent much on physical training so they are fit to compete at this level. They used to stick to long-ball tactics but now the team play a good passing game and are stronger in organisation," Weiss said.

Weiss praised team co-captain Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong, who will lead the Azkals on the pitch if captain Aly Borromeo will be unable to play to serve a one-game suspension after getting two yellow cards in the Azkals' Round 1 match against Sri Lanka. Filipino-German defender Stephan Schrock is also suspended for getting two yellow cards.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) said it will appeal Borromeo and Schrock's suspensions to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

"He is diminutive but is dynamic and creative. He can provide the team with attacking spark and leadership," Weiss said of Caligdong, who is an Airman in the Philippine Air Force. Caligdong made the first goal that ignited the Azkals' 4-0 win against Sri Lanka on July 3.

Azkals team captain Al Borromeo said, via Facebook the new FIFA article "gave him goosebumps". He also said he is "keeping his fingers crossed" on the appeal to FIFA.

Defense is top priority

Coach Weiss said good defense will be a key part of the Azkals' strategy against Kuwait on July 23 and July 28. The team is reinforcing its defensive line-up with the addition of midfielders Patrick Hinrichsen and Jason de Jong. Team manager Dan Palami said during the practice sessions at the Rizal stadium that they are working on getting two more Europe-based players, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara, to be part of the team's defense.

"We will change the central defense and try not to concede a goal in the first match. Kuwait are good at attacking and recently they thrashed Lebanon 6-0 in a friendly so we must stay compact and keep the back-line tight. If we can come away with a goalless draw, then things will be different when we play as hosts five days later," Weiss said in the FIFA feature.

Azkals-enforced Kaya FC to hold tryouts

Meanwhile, the Kaya Futbol Club, which has several Azkals as players, has announced it will have open tryouts on on July 25, 27, and 29 at 4pm at Manila Polo Club in Makati. Kaya FC also said its football academy will soon form a select team of 15 to 19 year old teens to train all year-round. 

"This team will have scrimmages with Kaya FC and every so often train with Kaya FC. If you want to enhance your skill level and one day play for Kaya FC and possibly the Azkals, this is your chance," the club said in a post on its official Facebook page. - JVP, GMA News