MANILA (13 March 2013) – Dan Palami, the team manager of the Philippines national team, feels that they must make their home advantage counts when they open their campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in less than ten days.
Philippines are placed in Group E against Brunei, Cambodia and Turkmenistan where they will play all their matches at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on 22-26 March 2013.
Only the group winner and two of the best second-placed teams will make the cut to the final round alongside hosts Maldives for the tournament proper in 2014.
“We are playing in our home ground, our players need this hometown boost,” said Palami (pix).
Added chief coach Michael Weiss: “the AFC Challenge Cup qualifier is not a walk in the park despite the mix of both local and foreign-based players.
“We have come a long way from the past two years. We have to show we can play at a higher level.”
Among the foreign contingent reinforcing the squad are Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Dennis Cagara, Paul Mulders and Stephan Schrock.
