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By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
The Philippine national men's football team begins its campaign in the AFF Suzuki Cup next week where it is a tough challenge for the rest of the field.
In a press conference held on Monday at Max's Kabisera at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, the think tank of the Philippine Azkals, namely new coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, team manager Dan Palami, consultant Scott Cooper and advertising manager Jun Miras, members of media and shared their thoughts on their upcoming campaign in the biennial regional football tournament.
They said that they are very excited to compete even if they recognize a competitive challenge.
For Mr. Eriksson, who has had an illustrious coaching career with stops in Italy, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, and China, there is pressure to produce good results with him on board. and go for what they have set out to do.
"The pressure is on the whole team, the directors, the federation, the coaching staff and myself to do better in the Suzuki Cup than what the Philippines had done before. There is pressure, of course, because there is a lot of good teams in the tournament and we are going to try and we look forward to it, "said the new Azkals coach.
Mr. Eriksson has taken over Mr. Cooper, who has only been one of the two following the surprise of British Terry Butcher in the middle of this year.
Mr. Cooper, who will be assisting in the handling of the team, said that the Philippines should have a good chance in the Suzuki Cup.
"The challenge has always been the same. We understand that Southeast Asia has good teams like Vietnam and Thailand. But we would like to know that we could not do that. They know where we want to be and we are focused on what we want to do. We also have a World Cup coach who knows how to get it done, "Mr. Cooper said.
It is same enthusiasm that long-time team manager Palami shares.
"We look forward to the experience that our coaches would bring to the team. We know it's not going to be easy but we are doing the best we can, "he said.
The Azkals start their Suzuki Cup on Nov. 13 against Singapore at the Panaad Football Stadium.
Apart from Singapore, joining the Philippines in Group B of the Suzuki Cup are Thailand, Indonesia and Timor-Liste.
In Group A are Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
In the 2016 edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup, which the Philippines co-hosted with Myanmar, the Azkals failed to advance beyond group play.
The team is also set to see action in its first AFC Asian Cup next year competition, which the Azkals think tank is also looking forward to.
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