by Olmin Leyba
MANILA, Philippines - While the Azkals are holding their training camp in Duren, Germany, preparations are also in full swing to make their home turf – the decades-old Rizal Memorial Stadium – ready for their Fifa World Cup Asian qualifying match with Sri Lanka set July 3.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta reported that construction works at Rizal, including the installation of seats at the grandstand and bleachers areas and the dressing rooms for the two teams, are nearing completion and the venue should be available by June 20.
“Construction is on time and I have nothing to fear that Rizal won’t be ready (for the July 3 home game),” said Araneta. “Our target is by June 20, everything will be completed or on its finishing stages, at the very least.”
The 18,000-seater Rizal Memorial has not played host to a major international tournament since the 1991 Southeast Asian Game and needed renovation on majority of its facilities.
The pitch itself was refurbished last year though a memorandum of agreement between Rizal owner Philippine Sports Commission and De La Salle University, so just minor fixing had to be done there.
The PFF will also be renting a digital scoreboard (with timer) for the Azkals’ home game, according to Araneta.
Likewise, Araneta said the federation is coordinating with authorities for security plans and other matters such as parking and traffic arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Azkals arrived in Duren, Germany Sunday night for their two-week training camp, the highlight of which will be tune-up game matches with four German squads. Source
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