P-Noy invited to Azkals' game

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source: manila bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO

January 17, 2011, 5:07pm

MANILA, Philippines — When the Philippine Azkals kick off their AFC Challenge Cup duel against Mongolia on February 9, President Aquino could be one of the fans at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) chief Mariano Araneta oin Monday said he has already coordinated with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) about the letter of invitation to the President, sounding ecstatic about the prospect.

“We hope that the President could find time from his hectic schedule,” Araneta said on Monday.

If Aquino can grace the event, he will be sitting in one of the 6,000 reserved seats for the VIPs and other special guests.

The Panaad Stadium can accommodate 15,000, and the remaining 9,000 seats will be free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis when the Azkals, beefed up by Fil-foreigners, lock horns with the Mongolians in one of the two matches.

Meanwhile, Araneta said three giant TV stations have expressed interest in becoming the tournament’s official broadcaster.

“ABS-CBN-2, GMA-7 and TV-5 are currently negotiating with Dan Palami,” said Araneta, referring to the Azkals’ team manager.

“Dan will inform me which station got it tomorrow (today).”

The highly-anticipated match is the first leg of the qualifier with the second meeting set March 15 at the National Stadium in Ulan Bator in Mongolia.

The Philippines had earlier proposed to host the Mongolia’s home game, but Mongolia declined the request.

The winner of the PH-Mongolia series will complete the group that includes host Bangladesh, Palestine and Myanmar. The group stage starts March 20.

The national tryout for the Azkals is on going with a bevy of Fil-Europeans joining the fray.

Among them is Fil-German Patrick Hergert, a fullback and rightwinger for German football club Viktoria Aschaffenburg in 6th Bundesliga.

The PFF also confirmed that Mark Drinkuth is coming back and will bring with him John Patrick Hindrichsen, Oliver Potlschke and Jason Sabio.

New coach Hans Michael Weiss is also expected to be in the country by Wednesday.

“Considering there is yet to be a grassroots program implemented by the federation, we really have to rely on our Fil-foreigners. That has been a proven formula,” Palami said.