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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Young Azkals face Timor-Leste in AFF U-23 opener

Young Azkals face Timor-Leste in AFF U-23 opener

Published Feb 13, 2022 09:36 pm

Photo from PFF

The Philippines aims to start the campaign on a bright note when it faces Timor-Leste to open the AFF U-23 Championship on Monday, Feb. 14, at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Kickoff is set at 5 p.m. Philippine time with the national booters having a score to settle against Timor-Leste after a 1-0 defeat in last year’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Singapore.

Coach Stewart Hall, who called the shots for the Azkals in the AFF Suzuki Cup, has set low expectations going into the tournament but believes the success of the women’s football team recently could inspire the squad.

“Everybody’s in a good frame of mind because of the women’s team, because of what they’ve just achieved,” Hall said in yesterday’s pre-match press conference.

“And I’ll tell you, the boys here they really, really want to do well and that’s good for us, that’s good for the Philippines,” the English coach added.

Oliver Bias and Sandro Reyes lead the squad’s campaign in Group A which also includes host Cambodia and Brunei as the Philippines tries to secure a semis berth.

The top teams in the three groups and the best second-placer will qualify for the semifinals.

The AFF tournament also serves as the U-23s biggest tournament before competing in the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

A solid performance will be beneficial for the Hall’s squad, which had little time preparing for the tourney.

“Collectively, we want to get out of the group stage, we want to push into a semifinal place, and who knows what could happen,” said Hall.

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