AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Azkals Arrive in Kathmandu

The Philippines is taking the AFC challenge cup seriously  and are here in Nepal to win. Philippines National Team  arrived Kathmandu Friday night from Manila. The team spent few hours in transit in Dhaka. 

 A-23 member team has landed in Kathmandu. 

Azkals in kathmandu (goalnepal.com)

Coach Michael Weiss looked happy after landing at TIA and first sentence he uttered was - It's a bit cool here. Our decision to come here in Kathmandu was right!

"We have come here a week earlier to acclimatize with the weather. It will help us a lot. I am thankful to our FA for providing this opportunity to come early".

"I have heard a lot about Nepal and I have many Nepalese friends back in Germany", a German Coach weiss said. 

Hope the stay of Philippines National team will be fruitful here.

 Stay with me to get the exclusive updates of AFC challenge cup 2012. 

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: India coach Savio Medeira announces 23-member squad

The Indian national team coach Savio Medeira has named his 23-member squad for the Challenge Cup 2012 which will be held in Nepal next week.

Clifford Miranda, Arnab Mondal and Baldeep Singh have all missed out due to injuries while Lester Fernandez, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Manandeep Singh and Manish Maithani also failed to make the final cut.

Indian coach Savio with his player

India are scheduled to play their first match against Tajikistan on March 9 after the Challenge Cup kicks-off in Kathmandu on 8 March 2012.

As part of their preparations towards the tournament, India played three friendlies losing 5-1 to Oman in Muscat, following that up with a 3-0 loss against Azerbaijan in Dubai before finally beating an amateur Dubai based Iranian club 3-1 in the last match.

The following is the list of 23 members, who will represent Team India in Group B of the Challenge Cup. The squad will leave for Kathmandu on Sunday afternoon:

Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar); Subhasish Roychowdhury (Dempo SC); Arindam Bhattacharya (Churchill Brothers).

Defenders: Nirmal Chhetri, Raju Gaikwad (both East Bengal); Samir Naik (Dempo SC); Gourmangi Moirangthem (Churchill Brothers); Anwar Ali, Kinsukh Debnath, Syed Rahim Nabi (all Mohun Bagan); Gurjinder Singh (Pune FC).

Midfielders: Adil Khan (Sporting Clube de Goa); Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC); Reisangmi Vashum (East Bengal); Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes (both Salgaocar SC); Jewel Raja (Mohun Bagan); Lenny Rodrigues, Lalrindika Ralte (both Churchill Brothers).

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan); Sushil Singh (Shillong Lajong FC – on loan), CS Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows); Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC).

AFC President's Cup qualifying venues confirmed

The AFC Competitions Committee has confirmed Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia), KRL Football Club (Pakistan) and FC Istiklol (Tajikistan) as the hosts for the Qualification Round of the 2012 AFC President's Cup.

A total of 12 clubs from across the continent will feature in Tuesday's draw for the qualification round where three groups of four teams will vie for the top-two finish to secure place in the six-team knockout stage. The qualifying round matches of the President's Cup take place from 3 to 13 May.

The 12 confirmed participating clubs for this year's competitions are: Dhanmondi Club (Bangladesh), Yeedzin FC (Bhutan), Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia), Taiwan Power Company (Chinese Taipei), Dordoi Dynamo (Kyrgyzstan), Erchim (Mongolia), Nepal Police Club (Nepal), KRL Football Club (Pakistan), Al Amma'ri Youth Club (Palestine), Ratnam Sports Club (Sri Lanka), FC Istiklol (Tajikistan) and Balkan (Turkmenistan).

Taiwan Power Company are the defending champions following their dramatic 3-2 win over Phnom Penh Crown in the final played at Kaohsiung National Stadium. Being the winners of their respective domestic leagues, both the finalists of 2011 will be featuring in this year's competition.

Yuvraj feeling 'weak' after second round of chemotherapy

India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, currently undergoing treatment for a malignant lung tumour in the United States, is feeling "weak" after his second round of chemotherapy."Second cycle has finished today! Had a bleomycin shot feeling weak but I am sure tom will be a better day! My next scan dated on 7th march," Yuvraj wrote on his Twitter account Thursday.

Yuvraj is being treated at the Boston Institute of Cancer Research since January. The Southpaw recently had former India captain Anil Kumble and actor Rannvijay visiting him in Boston.

Yuvi latest pic from Boston

"It was so nice of Jumbo (Kumble) to surprise me! Great motivation and a happy day spent with the legend!" Yuvarj tweeted Tuesday.

The 2011 World Cup man of the tournament in his earlier posts thanked his inspiration and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong for supporting him in testing times. Armstrong himself had overcome testicular cancer to win the coveted cycling crown.

Besides catching up on movies, the stylish southpaw is keeping a mild fitness regime while at hospital.

AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Philippines Arriving Kathmandu Today A Week Earlier Than Tournament Date

Philippines National football team is arriving Kathmandu Friday evening, a week earlier than the tournament date.

It is learned that The Azkals will leave Manila today and will land at TIA on Friday evening.

The Coach of the team, Michael Weiss informed Filipina media that they wanted to acclimatized with the weather of Kathmandu.

"The altitude of the city is much higher than Manila and we want to spend at least a week to familiar with the weather condition", Weiss said.

Meanwhile, the Azkals also received a big boost to their AFC Challenge Cup campaign as team coordinator Ace Bright confirmed that foreign based player, Paul Mulders will be available for the whole Nepal trip while Dennis Cagara and Stephan Shrock may play a match or two.

Philippines are grouped with India, Tajikistan and DPR Korea in AFC Challenge Cup