BOCAUE, BULACAN — The Philippine Azkals are still keeping their heads up as they look to move on from their heartbreaking finish in the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup, wherein they failed to make it to the semifinals.
In a press conference after their 0-1 defeat to Thailand last Friday at the Philippine Sports Stadium, Azkals coach Thomas Dooley apologized for letting the Filipino fans down. But he also vowed to help the team bounce back as they have their eyes locked on the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers in March 2017.
“All we have to do is to rest and prepare for the Asian Cup (qualifiers),” the former USA National Team captain said, adding that they have to continue to improve and work hard in training.
“We need to plan constant training sessions every day. This is something we have to be careful with to prepare and not give players too much rest. Maybe a four-week preparation,” said Dooley.
The Azkals might also come up with a better lineup as the qualifier dates will fall under the FIFA calendar, which allows foreign-based club players such as Javier Patiño and Neil Etheridge to suit up for them.
Patiño, who plays for Henan Jianye in China, did not make the Philippine lineup for the AFF Suzuki Cup because of conflicting schedules with his club.
The Azkals are still the best team in Southeast Asia in the FIFA rankings at 117th.
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