Azkals see action in China for AFC Asian Qualifiers

AFTER being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the Asia Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Qualifiers schedule for the remaining matches of the Philippines Azkals is all set.

The Azkals will be playing its remaining matches in Group A at the Suzhou Olympic Centre in China.

The Philippines is set to play Guam on June 3, 2021, home team China on June 9, 2021 and Maldives on June 15, 2021.

The Azkals is currently in third place of Group A with seven points and is just behind second place China on goal difference.

The Philippines is in a very crucial spot right now and can’t afford to lose its last three remaining matches.

The leader of each group advances to the next round along with four runners-up with the best record.

The Azkals will be holding training camp under the guidance of coach Scott Copper in Qatar on May 15, 2021 to May 31, 2021.

The Azkals has already beaten Guam and Maldives in the first leg and drew with China.

The Philippines beat Guam, 4-1, at the Guam FA Field in Dededo, Guam, and, 2-1, against Maldives at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives.

The Philippines settled to a scoreless draw with China at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.

China should be the Philippines’ toughest opposition.

The Chinese squad is composed of players mostly from Guangzhou FC and Beijing FC. It will also feature five overseas-born players – naturalized Brazilian players Elkson and Fernandinho, Chinese-Brazilian Alan Carvalho and Chinese-Brit players Tyias Browning and Nicholas Harry Yennaris.

The AFC Asia Qualifiers also serves as a qualifier for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 tournament.