MANILA (23 July 2016) – AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 co-hosts Philippines have lined up friendlies in China and Spain as they look to improve on the three semi-finals appearances of the last three editions of the biennial championship.
The Philippines will co-host the blue-riband event of the ASEAN Football Federation with Myanmar on 19 November onwards.
On the way to a friendly against the Kyrgyzsytan on 16 September, the Azakals as they are fondly known as, will take on North Korea in Beijing on 2 or 3 September.
“We’ll start with a friendly against DPR Korea in Beijing. We’ll be flying to Kyrgyzstan so on the way, instead of just staying over in Beijing as a layover, we’ll do a couple of days training and play a match against North Korea and from there, we go to Kyrgyzstan,” said Philippines team manager Dan Palami.
In October, the Philippines are looking at a training camp in Spain where they have lined up matches against Canada or Costa Rica.
“We have confirmed our participation and these are being finalized, we’ll have a camp in Spain. According to the organizer there, we’ll be playing against Canada and Costa Rica,” he added.
“We’ll have a full month of preparation (as a full team) which includes a friendly against Kyrgyzstan at home (on 9 November).”
