Azkals to face Yemen on Panaad ‘home’ turf

The Philippine Azkals will have their homecoming at Panaad Park and Stadium in football-crazy Bacolod City when they host Yemen in the Asian Cup Qualifiers on Sept. 5.

The Pinoy booters will play again at the site that witnessed their rise in stature for the first time in four years. Since hosting the Phl Football Peace Cup in Panaad in 2013, the Azkals have moved to Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila and Philippine Arena in Bulacan for their international assignments.

“We’re happy to announce that the Phl men’s national team will play at Panaad against Yemen,” Philippine Football Federation general-secretary Edwin Gastanes said in baring the Azkals’ Panaad homecoming yesterday.

The Azkals hope to draw extra energy and inspiration from the expected capacity home crowd to beat Yemen and streak to their third straight win in Group F of the qualifiers.

“Hopefully, Bacolod fans can do their usual stuff and help us win,” said Phl skipper Phil Younghusband, expecting a loud home crowd in the crucial match.

The Filipinos earlier scored a 4-1 home victory over Nepal at Rizal and a 4-3 squeaker over Tajikistan in faraway Dushanbe to put themselves in good position to move to a historic stint in the Asian Cup.

“The next two games are big, big games for us. If we can win them, we’ll go to the Asian Cup for the first time,” said Younghusband.

After the match in Bacolod, the Azkals will face the Yemenis again on Oct. 10 at the latter’s designated home in Doha, Qatar.