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Bacolod City, PhilippinesMonday, December 3, 2012
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Azkals to face Singapore
Dec. 8 at Rizal Stadium

The Philippine Azkals will take on the Singapore Lions for the country’s first-ever home match in the AFF Suzuki Cup on Dec. 8 at the Rizal Stadium in Manila.

Two years ago the Azkals were forced to forfeit home advantage in their semi-final with Indonesia as there was no suitable venue in the country.

They played both legs of the semi in the intimidating atmosphere of Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, twice losing 1-0.

James Younghusband, a key member of the 2010 and 2012 squads, said that they had achieved their aim of bringing football back to the Philippines.

“It is brilliant for Philippine football that we have qualified for the semis...the whole team is ecstatic. We lost the opening game (2-1 against Thailand) but bounced back really strong and showed some real team spirit,” he said of the 1-0 victory over Vietnam and the 2-0 defeat of Myanmar that sealed a spot in the last four.

“We are very happy that we get to bring international football back to the Philippines and get to play in our home stadium.

“We have grown as a team in the last two years and a lot of credit goes to the management and the supporters back home. There is more interest in us (and we have responded). We just needed that dream journey in 2010 to pave the way.

“I am looking forward to the game at Rizal. There will be a full house and I think that will give us the extra boost we need to really push forward and play some good football. It will be interesting to see who we face.”

Coach Michael Weiss quelled talk of a historic first title in the AFF Suzuki Cup.

“We will take it match by match,’’ he said. “We have to take the right steps to see how we can get even better.

“My feeling is that Thailand are one of the strongest sides. Maybe we will have a chance to play them again (in the final).’’

Philip Younghusband, who scored the vital opening goal against Myanmar and was singled out for praise by Weiss for his work rate, said that getting on the scoresheet provided a confidence boost going into the semi-finals.

“As a striker you get your confidence from goals,” said Philip, who also hit the target in the 2-0 victory over Vietnam two years ago, a result that rocked Asean football. “But more importantly, we’ve made the semis.

“You can’t really compare it with two years ago. It was a different team. But the feeling is the same. It’s amazing.’’

The win over Vietnam in 2010 and Philippines subsequent qualification for the knock-out stage reignited a passion for the game in the country and the semi-final at Rizal Stadium next Saturday will further boost football’s appeal.

“It will be the first time in our history that we have played a semi-final of the AFF Suzuki Cup at home,” said Emelio Caligdong, who made his first appearance in the Asean Football Championship in 2004 and has seen the transformation from makeweights to genuine contenders at first hand.

“It is a dream come true that we have a home game, it is good for us and the game in the Philippines.”*affsuzukicup.com

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