Azkals may miss Chieffy, Gier for Malaysian game

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals might opt to rest injured veterans Chieffy Caligdong and Rob Gier for their Fifa international friendly with reigning AFF Suzuki Cup champions Malaysia on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Ilonggo left winger Caligdong is nursing an LCL (lateral collateral ligament), an MCL (medial collateral ligament) and a partial ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his left knee while Fil-British defender Gier is recovering from an injured calf.

The two accompanied the Azkals in their recent training camp in Dubai and Doha but not fit enough to play, didn’t get to see action in any of the three friendlies there.

Azkals team manager Dan Palami hinted the possibility that the two seasoned stalwarts might sit out the fixture against Malaysia, apparently hoping they would recuperate in time for the bigger task ahead – the AFC Challenge Cup on Mar. 8-19 in Nepal.

“As much as we would love Rob and Chieffy to play (against Malaysia), we’re more worried of their fitness level for the Challenge Cup,” said Palami. “But I think we’ll stiill have a very good team against Malaysia.”

Gier and Caligdong, though, are still listed in the Phl XI’s 27-man lineup for the Malaysia friendly, according to the website http://www.azkalsfootballteam.com.

Also on the roster are Eduard Sacapano, Jason Sabio, Carli de Murga, Roel Gener, Roxy Dorlas, Ref Cuaresma, Lexton Moy, Juan Luis and Angel Guirado, Misagh Bahadoran, Phil and James Younghusband, Ian Araneta, Nate Burkey, Neil Etheridge, Ray Jonsson, Denis Wolf, Jason De Jong, Bervic Italia, Oj Clarino, Marwin Angeles, Joshua Beloya, Nestor Margarse, Ruben Doctora, and Paolo Pascual.