The Philippine Azkals are looking to reconnect with Filipino fans as they battle Nepal and Chinese Taipei in back-to-back friendly matches at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.  After struggling to regain footing over the past years, the Azkals will attempt to make strides once more under the guidance of its returning head coach Michael Weiss.  However, not only the Nationals lost years of progress, but also support from Pinoy fans, which is something they’re looking to get back. “I hope the older fans from the Philippines come back to support us because I feel like we lost the connection with the fans a little bit. That’s something we’re looking to get back. That’s what I want, that’s what we want,” said Azkals defender Daisuke Sato during the online pre-match press conference on Wednesday, June 14.  With many football fans turning their attention to the Filipinas, and understandably so, following their bid to the FIFA Women’s World Cup this July, Sato is hoping to help the Azkals rediscover their lost glory.  “Tomorrow we start another journey. We wanna have the positives, the past couple of years being not the best time for the Azkals. We’re looking forward for a new start tomorrow,” added Sato.  The Philippine team, though, is not only short on time but also on players as some of the members have decided to pull out due to injuries.  The German coach, who have touched on the basics with the team in a short period of time, also isn’t expecting for an immediate turnaround, but was hoping to make a promising second stint in the touchline with the Azkals as part of their preparations for the joint World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers later this year.  The Philippines have lost seven of its recent eight fixtures, but holds a commanding head-to-head record over Nepal of four wins and the recent being a scoreless draw.  “It was just two sessions [that we had since I returned]. Even though I know most of them, I studied videos, but to see them live is a different thing. We have to get back into shape, put them on drills,” Weiss said.  “In three days, we cannot change the world. But we try as best as we can. Not enough but we are positive. But they played eight, nine years together. They know each other and they are familiar. They are playing in good leagues, in good clubs with good environments. They are professional enough to adapt to the system,” added Weiss.  The Azkals will take on Nepal on Thursday, June 15 at 7 p.m. and stretch their winning record over the latter.  “We have a short period of time. But nevertheless, we’ve been hungry to represent the country and we’re trying to play positive, offensive-oriented football,” Weiss said.  The Philippines will then wrap the back-to-back friendlies against Chinese Taipei on Monday, June 19 at the same venue.