Azkals return to Panaad

This appears in the Thursday, May 17, 2012 edition of the Business Mirror.

Azkals return to Panaad

After an absence of one year and 95 days, the Philippine Men's Football National Team will return to its long time home, Panaad Stadium, Bacolod to take on the #194^th  ranked and upset conscious Guam on June 12.

The last time the Azkals, as the Philippine team is nicknamed, played in Panaad, they trounced Mongolia 2-0 in the first leg of the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers. National team captain Emelio 'Chieffy' Caligdong' scored an incredible goal where he famously nutmegged Blue Wolves' goalkeeper Tseveensuren Ganbayar. Late in the match, Phil Younghusband scored a second goal that was crucial to the Azkals advancing to the next round as Mongolia defended their home ground at Ulan Bataar with a 2-1 victory. The Philippines advanced on aggregate, 3-2.

Guam, despite their low ranking, promises to be no pushover as they are now coached by Englishman Gary White who is UEFA ‘A’ Licensed Professional Coach who serves on the United States Soccer’s National Coaching Staff. White played professionally in Australia Freemantle City and Bognor Regis.

Guam’s national side most recently competed in the South Pacific Games and the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup. Guam registered its first victory over a member of FIFA on 11 March 2009, 35 years after making its debut. They beat Mongolia by 1-0 in the 2010 East Asian Cup Preliminary Competition, at home.

The second victory was a 2-0 against American Samoa on 1 September 2011, in Group A at the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia.  

The Guam XI has a number of players of Philippine descent.

Ticket prices for the Guam versus Philippines match will be announced in the next few days.