Azkals ready vs Mongolians in Bacolod City match

Source | GMANEWS.TV
Hours before their qualifying match in Bacolod City Wednesday evening, the Philippine national football team "Azkals" is all set to fight Mongolia's Blue Wolves.

A report by GMA News' Chino Trinidad quoted the players as saying they are ready for the game and eager to represent millions of Filipinos, not only those in the Philippines but all Filipinos around the world.
The report said Filipino fans in Bacolod City expressed their support for the Philippine team and were raring to go to the Panaad Stadium for the 7p.m. game.

Also, Chino also reported that security was tight at the match venue, with armored personnel carriers stationed near the stadium.

Amid their eagerness for the game, members of the team received a last-minute reminder from head coach Hans Michael Weiss against complacency, and to remember football is an 11-player team game.

“The Mongolia team is here to play for their country and they have a young team. Surely, it will be a good game," Weiss was quoted as saying in a report on news site Visayan Daily Star.

According to the report, Philippine team member Phil Younghusband said he will try to score at least two goals, while team captain Aly Borromeo is eyeing converting a penalty or corner kick into a goal.

Ian Araneta and co-team captain Chippy Caligdong, whose relatives and friends from Iloilo were expected in Bacolod to see them play, are also optimistic of a big win, the report said.

Araneta, a product of a football grassroots development program and a Palarong Pambansa campaigner for Western Visayas in the 1990s, predicted a 3-0 win.

For his part, Caligdong said the entire team is mentally and physically prepared and there is no reason for them not to play a high-level game.

He added the home crowd will be their inspiration in winning their first game against Mongolia.

Meanwhile, the Blue Wolves trained for one week in Guangzhou, China, before heading for the Philippines.

Mongolia head coach Sandagdorj Erdenebat said the team has veteran players in its lineup.

Despite the team's having less exposure to international matches, team manager Dambiijav Terbaatar said they came prepared and their young players are very good.

Security preparations

Police sealed off the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup Wednesday night.

The stadium was to be opened at 3 p.m., the Visayan Daily Star report said.

Police Superintendent Jefferson Descallar, Match Area Security Commander, said the Police Regional Office-6 and the Philippine Army have detailed at least 1,200 law enforcers at the stadium to ensure the security of VIPs and spectators.

Police assistance desks were also to be put up near the Panaad Stadium to assist the needs of those who will watch the game.