Spanish club to parade solid lineup vs Azkals

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino fans can expect to see a very compact side in CF Internacional de Madrid, the Spanish third division club that will play the “Azkals Alyansa” in the “Dili Kamo Nag-iisa” charity game on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

“One of the advantages of the team is it’s a compact group,” CFIM coach Javier Garcia Marquez and team captain Julian “Juli” Bautista said yesterday from Spain during a chat via Skype with local media.

Marquez cited the likes of midfielder Juli, one of the best players in the Spanish third division, and forward Rufino “Rufo” Sanches, as among those who stand out in the team.

“But the most important thing about the team is it’s a (cohesive) group,” he said, referring to the one vital aspect in football that’s been a shortcoming for the Azkals side.

The two shared excitement in coming over to Manila to play the Azkals Alyansa – a combo of national team mainstays led by Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado and Fil-British James Younghusband and standouts from the UFL – while lending a helping hand to relief efforts for the typhooon victims.

“It’s really a nice experience to play a match against the Philippine Azkals; this will be the first time for all players to get out of Spain and play a match like this one, which will be for a cause,” said Marquez.

“We can’t wait to be there, do whatever we can to help. Hope fans will pack the stadium on match day, have a nice time, enjoy the game and chip in (to the cause),” Juli said.

Proceeds from the Azkals Alyansa- CFIM game will be donated to the Philippine National Red Cross as part of efforts to help thousands of families affected by Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Organizers are also working with LBC Foundation to maximize collecting and distributing donations.