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Qatar health ministry thumbs down Azkals-India friendly match

Sports

Qatar health ministry thumbs down Azkals-India friendly match

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippine Azkals

The Philippine Azkals won’t be playing India in a friendly match prior to the resumption of their campaign in the World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers next week.

Plans were for the Azkals and India to play in a closed-door friendly as part of both sides’ training camp in Doha, Qatar but the country’s health ministry thumbed down the request, according to football site Goal.com.

A match against India would have given coach Scott Cooper’s side to further observe things that are needed to improve before heading to Suzhou, China for three matches starting June 3.

The Azkals have been training in Doha since last Monday, but some players have yet to join the sessions.

Team captain Stephan Schrock, however, said the camp has brought positive results for the team.

“The coaching staff has been implementing their philosophy and you can see that the new players are out to prove themselves on the field,” Schrock said. “I’m looking forward to seeing them grow in the next few days.”

The Philippines opens its campaign in Suzhou against Guam before taking host China on June 9 and Maldives on June 15.

Currently level with China at seven points apiece, the Azkals are looking to win all three games and hopefully gain a spot in the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers as one of the best second place squads.

Related Tags

Philippine Azkals World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers

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