Azkals fight Singapore in friendly

Match today

(Hougang Stadium, Singapore)

5 p.m. – Singapore U-23 vs Philippines U-23

MANILA, Philippines - Scratched off the delegation to the Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine under-23 football team tries to showcase what it’s capable of when it battles its counterparts from Singapore in a charity international friendly at Singapore’s Hougang Stadium.

The U-23 Azkals hope to put up a good showing against a SEAG-bound U-23 Lions side, who are hosting the 5 p.m. match held for the benefit of victims of super typhoon Yolanda in Phl.

“It’s certainly for a good cause, all the proceeds will go to the Typhoon victims. That is first and foremost, the most important,” said coach Brian Reid.

The organizing Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said proceeds from ticket sales as well as donations to be collected in match day will be turned over to Singapore Red Cross.

While primarily a charity game, the U-23 Azkals should also treat it as a good buildup for future competitions. The squad will miss the Myanmar SEAG after failing to convince the Philippine Olympic Committee to greenlight its inclusion. 

“As a football game, you want to represent your country properly,” Reid stressed. “When you represent your country, you want to perform at a good level in preparation for the next competitions.”

Reid has called up  goalkeepers Nick O’ Donnell, Patrick Deyto and Paolo Pascual, defenders Amani Aguinaldo, Ronnie Aguisanda, Reymark Fernandez and Nathan Octavio, midfielders  Angelo Marasigan, Jason De Jong, Val Calvo, Mark Hartmann, Marvin and Marwin Angeles, and forwards OJ Porteria, Joshua Beloya and David Franz Pusing for the friendly.

Phl U-23 is looking to even the score against Singapore U-23, which prevailed the first time they met last June, 1-0.