Next Azkals home game kick-off set for 7pm of July 28

by Earl Victor Rosero
Students and employees who want to watch the next home game of the men's national football team at the Rizal stadium can do so without having to go on leave from work or be absent from school. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has announced that kick-off time on July 28 will be at 7pm -- well after usual office and class hours.

In a text message to GMA News Online, PFF local organizing committee chairman Bonnie Ladrido also said that details about the tickets will be announced on Friday, July 8.

Ladrido also confirmed the announcement of the committee's media officer, Rick Olivares, that Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo and midfielder Stephan Schrock will not see action on July 23 in Kuwait because of the one-game suspension that comes with having incurred to yellow cards. The two Azkals though will be back in action on July 28.


Through his blog, Olivares revealed that, "In an official email to the Philippine Football Federation, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Competitions Officer of the National Teams Competition Department, wrote: "The yellow cards received by your players from Round 1 & 2 will be carried over."

Olivares said the email from the AFC was prompted by "a query by Home Match General Coordinator Cathy Nazareno-Rivilla about the two yellow cards levied on midfielder Stephan Schrock and central back Aly Borromeo."

Last Sunday, Azkals coach Michael Weiss assured that the team will find ways to adjust to whatever "difficult situations" lie ahead. Weiss was of the understanding that the automatic suspension rule might not yet apply during the current stage of the playoffs. He said back then that he will wait for official confirmation.

Azkals co-captain Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong is expected to assume the leadership role while Borromeo serves his one-game suspension. In place of Schrock, who played aggressively in the two games against Sri Lanka, Weiss said the team can adjust the roles of its currently available players.

In the matches against Sri Lanka, Weiss fielded some players from its list of reserves or substitutes, namely Nate Burkey, Roel Gener and Ian Araneta.

Weiss explained Sunday that the training camp in Bahrain middle of this month will focus on the reserves so they can be sent in when needed.

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, PFF General Secretary Ramon Manuel said he will seek clarification Tuesday from the AFC on the suspension of Borromeo and Schrock. He also said he will ask for a copy of the competition rules. --OMG, GMA News