Azkals hone up with ‘friendly’ vs Thais

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals have penciled one more international friendly – an away match with Thailand – as they crank up their buildup for next month’s Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.

“Our national team Azkals will play Thailand on Nov. 10 in Nakhon Ratchasima as part of our preparations for the Suzuki Cup,” Philippine Football Federation (PFF) general secretary Edwin Gastanes confirmed to The STAR yesterday.

With less than a month before the Nov. 22 opening, the Azkals are looking to set at least three matches before flying to Hanoi for the actual battle in the Asean tilt. A friendly with Nepal (Oct. 31) and a match with Qatari club Al Ahli (Nov. 2) have earlier been set to highlight the Pinoy booters’ mini-camp in Doha, Qatar, with one more being arranged, possibly at home.

The Azkals and the Thai War Elephants will meet for the first time since clashing in the group stages of the Suzuki Cup that the Thais hosted in Bangkok in 2012. The War Elephants prevailed then, 2-1, marking Thailand’s 12th straight victory over Phl since 1972. After the setback, though, the Azkals bounced back and won their next two games in the group to advance to the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Singapore on goal aggregate, 1-0.