Game Today
(Rizal Memorial Stadium)
7:30 p.m. – Philippines vs Malaysia
Neil Etheridge and Javier Patino return to action tonight as the Philippine Azkals geared up their preparation for next week’s 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers when they take on Malaysia in a friendly match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Etheridge and Patino are likely to be inserted in the starting lineup for the 7:30 p.m. match as they wear the Azkals shirt after failing to see action for the national team in the AFF Suzuki Cup last November for various reasons.
They are hoping to display their good form as the Thomas Dooley-coached side eyes a victory over the Malaysian and gain some momentum before facing Nepal on Tuesday in the opener of the third round qualifiers for the Asian Cup at the same pitch.
Also expected to lead the squad are Phil and James Younghusband, Misagh Bahadoran, Amani Aguinaldo, Iain Ramsay, Manny Ott and Daisuke Sato.
It will be the fifth time since 2012 that the Azkals face the Malaysian side, with all previous four encounters ending in draws.
The Philippines and Malaysia battled to a 1-all tie at Rizal Memorial in Feb. 2012, followed by consecutive scoreless ties in June 2012 and March 2014 in Malaysia and another in April 2014 in Cebu City.
Malaysia, which like the Azkals failed to make the Suzuki Cup semis, is also preparing for the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers.
