AFC Challenge Cup: Philippines Coach Aims to Reach Semis; Azkals to Play Three Matches In UAE Before Coming To Nepal

Philippines Football Federation (PFF) has finalized the UAE tour to prepare themselves  for the up-coming AFC Challenge Cup which is scheduled to start from March 8 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Azkals will play three friendly matches in UAE, PFF official informed from Manila.

The Azkals will play first match against Serbian Superliga Champions Partizan Belgrade in Abudhabi on February 6. They will play remaining matches either in Sharjah or Al Ain.

Meanwhile, the head coach of the team, Michael Weiss said that he was looking forward to play high level of football ahead of the AFC Challenge Cup.

AFC Challenge Cup 2012 logo

"It is important to get this experience. We will have all foreign based players in the team and are hoping to reach at least semifinals in the AFC Challenge Cup", Weiss was quoted as saying by ESPNstar.com.

"We are looking forward to playing high level of football before the AFC Challenge Cup," said Philippines head coach Michael Weiss.

Logo of Philippines Football Federation

"Dubai is a great place to visit; I've been there a couple of times in the last year and have friends at the UAE FA so we know how far football has come in those parts. In February, the temperature will be nice and we are eager and happy to meet the Filipino community there." The Philippines will begin their AFC Challenge Cup adventure on March 9 when the face DPR Korea in a Group B clash. India and Tajikistan are the other teams in Group B.

Nepal is grouped with Maldives, Turkmenistan and Palestine in Group A.