Game Today
(Guangzhou, China)
7:30 p.m. – China vs Philippines
The Philippine Azkals resume their preparation for the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers when they take on China in a rare international friendly match between the two nations tonight at the Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, China.
Heavy underdogs going into the 7:30 p.m. contest, the Azkals would like to put on a solid performance against the Chinese booters before facing Tajikistan next week in the resumption of the final round of the Asian Cup qualifiers in Dushanbe.
The last time the two teams met was in the 2000 Asian Cup qualifiers when China ripped the Philippines, 8-0, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
China enters the friendly as the highest-ranked nation the Azkals faced in recent memory at 82nd.
Coach Thomas Dooley’s side, however, will play minus ace goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who elected not to play in the two matches after the Fil-Briton recently signed a contract to play for Cardiff City in the English second division. (Jonas Terrado)