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Azkals resume joint World Cup, Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign in China

Sports

Azkals resume joint World Cup, Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign in China

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippine Azkals will play the remainder of their World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers this June in China, the AFC announced Friday, March 12.

The Azkals begin the resumption of the Asian Qualifiers on June 3 against Guam followed by matches opposite China on June 7 and Maldives on June 15.

China was selected as one of the centralized venues in a bid to complete the fixtures in the second round of the joint qualifiers.

The World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the AFC decided to have the group matches played in different venues across the region.

The Philippines is level with China at seven points apiece in Group A but is in third place due to goal difference.

Syria leads the group with 15 points, having won all five matches.

A second place finish may give the Azkals a spot in the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers and a direct spot in the Asian Cup which will host by China in 2023.

But a third place finish will end the Azkals’ World Cup hopes, though they’ll progress to the third round of the Asian Cup Qualifiers.

The Azkals last played in Oct. 2019 when they held visiting China to a scoreless draw at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

United City striker Bienvenido Marañon could join the Azkals for the resumption of the qualifiers if a bill seeking his naturalization becomes a law.

Related Tags

Philippine Azkals

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