PHL faces Syria

today at the Panaad
By Adrian Stewart Co

The Philippine men’s football team, the Azkals, are set to kick off the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds when they play Syria tonight at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
Ceres-Negros FC midfielder, Mike Ott, who was called up for national duty, anticipated a challenging match.
“It will be a tough first game, for sure, against Syria and we will be prepared,” he said. “I am sure our coach will prepare us and we will try our best to rule the qualifier.”
The Azkals recently announced Goran Milojević as the new head coach. The former midfielder for the Yugoslavian national football team will make his debut with the national team in tonight’s match.
“Our first game is at home and we are very ecstatic that we can play for our home crowd in Bacolod City,” the midfielder added. “We are happy when they come out and support us.”
Other Ceres players joining Ott on the national team include defenders Carli de Murga and Sean Kane, midfielder Stephan Schröck, and striker OJ Porteria.
“When we get the people like we do [with] Ceres and also the people from around the region, it’s always good,” he said. “I am hoping for a really good atmosphere and they will give us the last percent we will need for the game.”
After Syria, the Azkals next face Guam at the Guam FA Field on September 10./ASC, WDJ