MANILA – The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is in search for the Philippine Azkals’ alternative home venue for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022/AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification matches.
According to PFF president Mariano Araneta, they are eyeing their National Football Center in Carmona, Cavite and Biñan Stadium in Laguna as possible sites with the Rizal Memorial Stadium here unavailable.
“Wala pa ‘yung Rizal. Ayaw pa ipagamit ng PSC (Philippine Sports Commission). Since wala pa namang spectators and they won’t be too strict on the stadium requirements, Carmona or Biñan (muna) tayo,” Araneta said in an interview.
The Asian Football Confederation – governing body of association football in Asia and Australia – proposed recently that the remaining second round of matches should push through if the coronavirus disease 2019 situation improves.
Based on FIFA’s schedule, the Azkals are to face Guam on October 8, People’s Republic of China on November 12 and Maldives on November 17.
“As of now, tentative schedule pa ‘yung October and November. Hopefully by August or September we’ll have a clearer picture,” said Araneta.
The Azkals’ matches that were postponed due to the pandemic were against Guam at home last March 6, China on the road on June 4 and Maldives at home on June 9.
Philippines is currently sitting third place in Group A standings of the joint qualifiers with seven points – two wins, two defeats and a draw. Syria, on the other hand, is leader of the bracket with 15 points.
The group winner and possibly the runner-up will advance to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and gain direct berths to the 2023 Asian Cup while the third placer will advance to the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers./PN
