Philippine Azkals kick off preparations in Doha

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Azkals officially began their training camp in Doha, Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Head coach Scott Cooper presided over the training and did light and quick drills with the assistance of team captain Stephan Schrock.

Aside from the individual strength and conditioning by the squad, they are also gearing up for a possible tune-up game against India.

“The AIFF (All-India Football Federation) is in talks for a training match with the Philippines in Doha ahead of India’s first match against Qatar on June 3. If it happens, it will be a closed-door match with no spectator or TV allowed as both teams are inside a very secured bio bubble,” said a source of the Indian Football Team for World Cup.

The Indian football squad is also currently training at Doha and will also participate in the joint-qualifiers of FIFA and the AFC Cup in Group E.

Meanwhile, the PH Azkals will be facing Guam, China, and Maldives in their bracket and is targeting to outlast the Chinese in order to advance to the next round.

The Azkals members already training in Qatar are Schrock, Matt Baldisimo, Mark Hartmann, Niko De Vera, Mar Diano, Angel Guirado, Alvaro Silva, Mark Winhoffer, Luke Woodland, Bernd Schipmann, Jarvey Gayoso, Patrick Reichelt and Michael Kempter.