Azkals to defend Peace Cup title vs C. Taipei, Pakistan

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Football Federation is ready for the hosting of the 2nd Philippine Football Peace Cup that will be held on October 11-15, 2013 in Bacolod City.

The 5-day tourney falling on FIFA match dates will see three nations compete – Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Pakistan.

The Philippines won the 1st Peace Cup in September 2012 and is expected to field a powerhouse team with foreign-based players joining the local stalwarts.

Flying in from Europe are Stephan Schrock who plays for the Bundesliga Club Eintracht Frankfurt, Neil Etheridge from Fulham FC, Jerry Lucena from Esbjerg fB, Rob Gier and Juani Guirado.

Paul Mulders, and Angel Guirado who are recently played for Global FC in Singapore, as well as Patrick Reichelt from Thai Club Singhtarua will join the squad.

Chieffy Caligdong as well as Phil and James Younghusband, will lead the Philippine-based Azkals called up by Coach Michael Weiss. These are Marwin Angeles, Misagh Bahadoran, Jerry Barbaso, Jeffrey Christiaens, Jason de Jong, Patrick Deyto, Chris Greatwich, Mark Hartmann, OJ Porteria and Edward Sacapano.

The Philippines will face Chinese Taipei on October 11 at 7pm, and Pakistan on October 15 also at 7pm. Chinese Taipei will face Pakistan on October 13 at 4pm. Chinese Taipei is ranked 175th by FIFA and landed 1st Runner-Up in last year's Peace Cup. Pakistan is ranked 170th.

Despite the tournament's lack of a 4th team, the PFF is upbeat with its 2nd hosting of the Peace Cup. "We welcome both Chinese Taipei and Pakistan and we look forward to competitive matches with them. The Peace Cup is football's contribution to help highlight every Filipino's desire for peace, especially in Mindanao conflict areas. Football values of fair play and respect are aligned with the ongoing peace process," said PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes.

The October matches signal the start of the Azkals' build-up for the AFC Challenge Cup Maldives 2014 Finals which will be held in May next year. November 2013 matches include friendlies with United Arab Emirates on the 9th in Abu Dhabi; and against India on the 15th in India. UAE is ranked 82, and India, 155.

The Peace Cup will be held at the Panaad Stadium with a seating capacity of 12,000. Recent international matches that were held in Panaad include Philippines vs Mongolia on February 9, 2011 for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification, 2007 ASEAN Football Championship and 2005 Southeast Asian Games.

Tickets are pegged at Php500 (Grandstand Center), Php200 (Grandstand sides) and Php50 (bleachers) during the Philippine matches while the match between Chinese Taipei and Pakistan on Day 2 will have a different price scheme: Php200, Php100 and Php50.

Tickets can be purchased online via Ticket World starting Monday afternoon and will also be available at The Planta Hotel in Bacolod (telephone: +634 468 0400) on Tuesday and at the Pan-ad Stadium during all match days.