Philippine Azkals ready for Sri Lanka, says Palami

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—Just like in its international campaigns during the past year, the Philippine football team will be armed and ready for battle in its most important match yet.
This was the assurance of Azkals manager Dan Palami, who said that the training camp in Duren, Germany will be the key to their success against Sri Lanka in the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifying first round meeting.
“We’re not taking any chances against Sri Lanka,” said Palami Wednesday night during his birthday bash, which also turned out to be a testimonial dinner for retiring national player Yanti Barsales.
Palami, however, refused to make any predictions against a Sri Lankan team which remains an unknown entity for the Azkals.
“The best we could do is prepare the team the best way we can. I am confident, but Sri Lanka is also preparing for us,” said Palami, the man credited for the national team’s rise to prominence.
“I will only make a prediction as soon as I see how the team plays in Germany,” said Palami, who called the 3-4 loss to the United Football League All-Stars last Sunday as a good learning experience for the squad.
The Azkals leave tomorrow for Duren, where other players like Stephan Schrock, Manny Ott, Rob Gier, Ray Jonnson, Dennis Cagara, Angel Guirado and Jerry Lucena are expected to link up with the team.
Azkals coach Michael Weiss disclosed that Sri Lanka will be holding camp in Korea in preparation for the match against the Azkals. Source

Rizal Memorial Football Stadium to meet deadline for Azkals match

Renovations being done on the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium are on schedule and will be finished in time for the Philippines’ home match against Sri Lanka in the opening leg of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers on July 3, 2011, Cathy Nazareno-Rivilla, general coordinator for the home match, informed mediamen over the weekend.

“The renovation of the seats in the grandstand are almost completed," explained Rivilla, who also managed the centennial celebration of the Philippine Football Federation last December 2007 with FIFA president Joseph Blatter in attendance.

“Work is also being done in the bleachers section. The changing rooms for both teams are almost finished. The electrical wirings are being finalized. However, not all the comfort rooms will be fixed in time, so the PFF will be placing portalets outside the stadium."

“It’s a huge facelift for a facility that has not been used in a long time," added Rivilla who has had international match experience. “We are also inviting the media to take a look at what we are doing to Rizal Memorial on June 23 at 1 p.m."

The general coordinator also said that the traffic routing scheme and other details will be unveiled to the general public in the next few days. Source

RENOVATION TO RIZAL FIELD ON TRACK; TICKET PRICING SET FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

MANILA (19 May 2011) – The renovation to the Rizal Memorial Football Field is on track, ahead of the Philippines’ national team match against Sri Lanka in the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifiers on 3 July 2011.

Azkals happy with Rizal football field makeover

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Philippine Azkals are pleased with the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Football field where their home game against Sri Lanka in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers will take place.