AFC CC: Philippines off to Doha for training

The Philippine Azkals are set to leave for Doha, Qatar today to undergo their usual Middle East camp highlighted by a pair of friendly matches against Nepal and local club Al Ahli on April 11 and 14.

Twenty-two players, mostly from the United Football League, will take part in the camp as the Azkals enter the midway point of their preparation for next month’s AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives.

Coach Thomas Dooley will have his standouts Phil Younghusband and Rob Gier for the camp along with the returning Ed Sacapano, who missed last month’s friendlies with Malaysia and Azerbaijan for failing to gain a clearance from his UFL club Philippine Army-GTI.

Sacapano replaces Patrick Deyto, who was impressive during both friendlies despite not having any international experience prior to those encounters.

The Azkals will take on Nepal before facing Al Ahli of the Qatari domestic league three days later.

The rest of the team is composed of Nick O’Donnell, Charles Pettys, Anton del Rosario, Jeff Christiaens, Juani Guirado, Simone Rota, brothers Simon and Chris Greatwich, Kenshiro Daniels, Jason de Jong, Curt Dizon, Martin Steuble, Amani Aguinaldo, James Younghusband, Mark Hartmann, Nate Burkey, Ruben Doctora and Andrew Liauw.

The camp has forced the UFL to adjust its schedule, with just three first division matches slated this week.