AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Know the Participating Team – Philippines

Despite being one of the oldest national teams in Asia, the Philippines are yet to qualify for the Asian Cup or the World Cup. However, they enjoyed some success in its early years between 1913 and 1934 in the Far Eastern Championship Games. 

In September 2006 the country fell to 195th on the FIFA World Rankings, its lowest ever. By the end of the year, the Philippines moved back up to 171st overall, after a good run in the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship qualification. They were able to win three games in a row which was a first for the Philippines and thus qualifying for the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship.

Since 2007, the Philippines have failed to qualify for a major competition. They came close in 2008 after missing out on the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup only on goal difference, and the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup with an inferior goals scored record. In 2010, they qualified for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, where they stayed undefeated in the group stage and also went on to beat defending champions Vietnam, becoming one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament. The team reached the knockout stage for the first time, eventually losing to Indonesia in the semifinals. In 2011, the Philippines qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup for the first time since qualifiers were introduced in the tournament.

Nickname: Azkals (Street Dogs)

kit: In March 2008, the Philippine Football Federation signed a three-year, ₱9-million contract with Mizuno to become the official outfitter and equipment supplier of the national team, as well as becoming a major partner in its grassroots development programs.The previous outfitter was Adidas. The traditional home kit is similar to the France national team; blue jersey, white shorts, and red socks. However, in recent times, the home and away kit has either been all-blue, all-red or all-white. Currently the home kit is all-blue, while the away kit is all-white.
On July 3, 2011, the Philippines recorded their first ever victory in FIFA World Cup qualification, beating Sri Lanka 4–0 in the second leg of the first preliminary round. They advanced 5–1 on aggregate, drawing 1–1 in the first leg before winning at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Coach: Micahel Weiss (German)

FIFA Ranking: 156

Player To Be Watched: Phil Younghusband and James Younghusband are the players to be watched in Philippines squad.

Supporters: Azkals supporters closely follow the team. They are loud and passionate for the game

World Cup Record:

 Never played world cup


AFC Challenge Cup record:

2006        Round 1    
2008        Didn’t qualify

2010        Did not qualify

 2012      Qualified

First International Match: The Azkals played their first match against China which they lost 0-1 in 1913.

Biggest Win: Philippines had hammered Japan 15-2 in Tokyo in 1917.

Biggest Defeat: Japan then defeated Azkals 15-0 in 1967 in Tokyo!