MANILA (21 Feb 2011) – In preparation for the abject wintry conditions in Mongolia for the return tie of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 play-offs, the Philippines national team will take their training to Japan.
Philippines will play Mongolia on 15 March in expected sub-zero conditions in Ulan Bator.
The Japan Football Association (JFA) have agreed to host the week-long training camp for the Philippine national team who have taken a 2-0 advantage from the first leg which was played in Bacolod City.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta confirmed that the team will train at the JFA facility in Fukushima from 6-12 March 2011.
“This will be very difficult since the players might play in extreme weather conditions in a week, that’s why we really need to prepare,” said Dan Palami, the team manager of the Philippines national team.
“But more than the extreme weather, complacency will be their biggest enemy in Mongolia.
“That’s why I have coach (Hans Michael) Weiss to ensure that we train as if we’re 2-0 down rather than 2-0 up.”
