THE Azkals are set to carry the country’s colors anew, this time in the prestigious Asia 7s Championships set Oct. 9 to 12 at the EV Arena Elmina in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Former skippers and local football legends Stephan Schrock and Missagh Bahadoran will be the co-captains of the squad while veteran Hamed Hajimedhedi will call the shots for the Azkals.
Patrick Ace Bright will serve as team manager.
Schrock and Bahadoran are raring to see action for the Azkals anew–in a different setting.
“This is the next step in keeping alive the Azkals name which has become synonymous with Philippine football. It is very important to continue the Azkals legacy on how as the former minnows of Asian football, we were able to rise and overcome the challenges before,” Schrock said yesterday during a team launch at Dillingers Steak and Brew in Greenbelt 3, Makati. “Hopefully by using the moniker again, we can once more inspire all aspiring football players in the country.”
Added Bahadoran: “It has been years since I represented the country but the desire to do so has always been there. It is a great honor for me to wear the national colors one more time.”
Asia 7s was founded two years ago and is the premier Asian International 7 a-side tourney that features national teams from several countries and territories in the continent.
At least eight teams that include Malaysia, India, Japan, China, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines have confirmed their participation in the tournament. Five more teams are expected to compete.
“The main goal is to make 7-aside more accessible all over Asia,” Asia 7s commissioner Anton Del Rosario said. “This competition can be as big as the Asian Football Confederation’s tournaments, and we just have to work extra hard to make this possible.
“The Asia 7’s Championships is a positive step towards that direction.”
Apart from Schrock and Bahadoran, the team is still searching for more players to complete its roster, with tryouts slated on Sept. 7 and 8.
A tune-up match against celebrity football players and the Azkals is also scheduled on Oct. 6.
