Friendlies vs top teams spice up Azkals UAE buildup

A Philippine Azkals crew, cramming to get into shape and achieve cohesion for its upcoming AFC Challenge Cup campaign, hopes to make the most out of its Middle East training camp.

The Azkals leave for the UAE tonight via Emirates for their 10-day camp, cranking up their buildup for the March 8-19 Challenge Cup in Nepal away from the many distractions in Manila and temporarily free from their club commitments.

Highlight of the training are friendlies against Uzbekistan’s Olympic team on Saturday night at Maktoum Stadium Al Nasr Sports Club in Dubai; against Qatari first division side Al Ahli Sports Club Monday night in Doha; and against Qantas Australian U-23 on Thursday also at the Maktoum Stadium Al Nasr Sports Club in Dubai.

Azkals Dubai tour, ticket prices

To those who wants to see the match of Azkals' here in Dubai, the tickets for the Azkals' matches will be available from February 2 onwards from selected Giordano outlets, Orlando Sports outlets and Virgin Megastores in Dubai and across the UAE.

Ticket prices in UAE games:
VIP                  Dh165
Category A     Dh75
Category B     Dh50

Azkals confront Uzbeks, Aussies in AFC tuneup

The Philippine Azkals look to hone their skills against two Olympics-aspiring sides – Uzbekistan and Australia – in their Middle East training camp from February 7-17 in preparation for their AFC Challenge Cup campaign in March in Nepal.

Organizers of the Azkals' Tour yesterday announced that Philippine XI will kick off their three-game slate against Uzbekistan on Feb. 11 in Dubai, then battle Qatari club Al Ahli SC two days later in Doha, and wrap up with a game against Qantas Australian U-23 on February 16 in Dubai.

It was not immediately clear whether it will be the U-23 team or the national team from Uzbekistan that will engage the Azkals in a friendly. In their Facebook page, organizers said it will be the national team (senior) but according to Azkals team coordinator Ace Bright, they will play the U-23 crew.

Azkals call off Dubai training

The Philippine Azkals will no longer get to play Serbian powerhouse FK Partizan Belgrade in their 12-day training camp next month in the UAE after the reigning Serbian SuperLiga champions called off their Dubai sortie.

"The Azkals' match with Partizan that's supposed to be held on Feb. 6 will not push through anymore apparently because of visa problems on their part," confirmed Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta yesterday.

Multi-titled Partizan is under a new coach in Avram Grant, an Israeli. In their website, "The Black and Whites" announced that after the cancellation of their preparation in Dubai, the team is searching for opponents in Israel instead for a planned trip from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8.