MANILA (16 April 2011) – The Philippines national team will take their training to Germany in preparation for their first qualifying match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup match against Sri Lanka.
Philippines will play Sri Lanka on 29 June 2011 in Colombo before the return tie at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila five days later.
Team manager Dan Palami said that the team will train in Germany for two weeks starting from 12 June where with the help of the German Football Association (DFB) will be looking to play at least five friendly matches against several German clubs.
“We’re not treating Sri Lanka lightly that’s why we will have the best possible preparation,” said Palami. “We should still prepare and play like we haven’t achieved anything.”
In the meantime, the Philippine Sports Commission has approved the proposal by San Miguel Brewery to install grandstand seats and LED scoreboard at the Rizal MemorialStadium for the Philippines-Sri Lanka clash.
The Rizal Memorial Stadium, which could accommodate up to 25,000 spectators, has not hosted an international football match since the 1991 SEA Games, where the Philippines reached the semi-finals.
“It’s about time we play in Manila,” said Palami. “This will be a litmus test if the popularity of football has gone beyond the Visayas region.”
