'Too much hype on Azkals tiff'

MANILA, Philippines –  Go easy on the expectations.

“I’m worried about the high expectations,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco yesterday, referring to the Azkals’ match against Mongolia in Bacolod City on Feb. 9.

The match, which serves as the first of two legs between the two countries in the AFC Challenge Cup, has created such a stir that everybody wants to be at the Panaad Stadium on that day.

Hotels in Bacolod City are already fully booked as well as airline flights to and from the city at least a day before and after the match which is expected to draw more than 16,000 fans.

“There seems to be too much publicity. But I hope that we win. We’re good. But we have to understand that we’re coming up from the bottom. I hope we don’t expect too much,” said Cojuangco.

The POC chief will be there along with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia. Cojuangco said President Aquino, his nephew, should be there, too, as long as his schedule permits.

“If there’s time he will go. It depends on his work. There are too many problems for him to work on,” added Cojuangco.

He said the public should not expect too much on the Azkals despite their historic top four finish in the AFF Suzuki Cup last December, because it might put too much pressure on the players themselves.

“Yes, we have the potential, but let us not expect too much. We have a new coach, and some of the players are just about to plane in, with just how many days away,” said Cojuangco.

The new Azkals coach, German Hans Michael Weiss, had aired the same sentiment before the team flew to Bacolod last Jan. 26.

“I’m hoping for a convincing victory. But let us remember that there are opponents on the other side of the pitch. I know everybody’s enthusiastic but please give us some time,” he said.

“Playing Mongolia does not give us an automatic result. But we will try to win as you wish us to,” he added.