World Cupper tapped to call shots for Azkals

MANILA, Philippines - Azkals team manager Dan Palami yesterday said they have chosen former US skipper and World Cup veteran Thomas Dooley to lead them in the next stages of their mission.

Palami has interviewed five candidates as replacement of dismissed coach Michael Weiss and seemed to be impressed by Dooley the most.

“Very tough selection process, but quite confident that the selection of Thomas Dooley as Azkals coach will bring the team to another level,” Palami said on Twitter.

Social network and online sites went on fire with the announcement of Dooley’s hiring yesterday.

But Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta said “there’s nothing official yet.”

“The PFF general secretary will make the official announcement, not any Azkals foundation or anything,” he said.

The 52-year-old Dooley, a German-American, served as an assistant coach for the Under-20 men’s team of the US.

During his playing years, he compiled seven goals in 81 caps, his international career highlighted by stints in the 1994 and 1998 World Fifa Cup.