Phl vs. Malaysia ‘face off 2’ tonight Azkals, Tigers to settle unfinished business

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals will try to settle an unfinished business against the Malaysia Tigers when they collide anew in an international friendly match billed as 'Face Off 2' today at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Showtime is set at 7 pm.

The Azkals and the Tigers have clashed three times already in the past three years and all games ended up in a draw. That will surely to set up the stage for a tougher battle ahead between the two Southeast Asian rivals tonight.

"It will be tougher than the last time because we will not only be playing against the players, but also against the home crowd," said Malaysian coach Datuk Ong Kimsee in yesterday's press conference at Parklane Cebu International Hotel. "But we are prepared."

With what Kimsee had said, newly-hired Azkals coach Thomas Dooley hopes to have a soldout crowd in his first home game since taking over the coaching chores from Michael Weiss early this year.

"I hope for a sold out crowd tomorrow (today). It is a very important game in preparation for the Challenge Cup. It's always good to have a home game to send us off to a very important competition," said Dooley, who will be utilizing the game to motivate his players that many people are rooting and supporting them.

For the Tigers, their showdown with the Azkals will be a big test on how far they have jelled as one fighting united, said Malaysia skipper Radzak Aidil Zafuan.

The lineup that both squads will be fielding in are mostly the same as in their most recent encounter in Kuala Lumpur, which ended on a scoreless draw.

On the side of Azkals who have been called up by Dooley for tonight's battle, 14 of them have seen action against the Malaysians last month including goalkeeper Patrick Deyto, Simone Rota, Amani Aguinaldo, Chris and Simon Greatwhich, Jason de Jong, Ruben Doctora, Jr., Jose Porteria, James Younghusband, Nathaniel Burkey, Patrick Reichelt, Kenshiro Daniels, and Martin Steuble.

They will play alongside goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano, Charles Pettys, Daiske Sato, Curt Dizon, Joven Bedic, Roxy Dorlas, Carli de Murga and Jerry Lucena.

The Azkals are coming off an impressive tuneup in Qatar last week, posting a 3-0 shutout of Nepal then settling for a 1-1 standout with Al Ahlisc. They also fought against Azerbaijan in Dubai, albeit for a losing cause, 1-0.

After their Cebu joust, the Azkals will be competing in the AFC Challenge Cup on May 19-30 in Maldives under group B along with Laos, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the organizing Cebu Football Association  has reiterated that there will be no ticket for sale at the gates at CCSC. Tickets can only be purchased at smtickets.com or at any SM Cinema ticket outlets.

Spectators are also reminded not to bring deadly weapons, umbrellas and other sharp objects, bottles  water, lighters, fire crackers, illegal drugs and alcoholic beverages among others for everybody's safety. (FREEMAN)