AZKALS TO PLAY MALAYSIAN. INDONESIAN AND POSSIBLY THAILAND NATIONAL TEAMS IN JUNE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Apr 2012
The Philippine Azkals, fresh from an impressive third place finish in the recent AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal where striker Phil Younghusband won the "Golden Boot" award for scoring the most number of goals (6) face an exciting challenge in three matches lined up this June.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano ?Nonong? Araneta told the Manila Standard that Malaysia had invited the Azkals to play one match in Kuala Lumpur on June 1 against the Malaysian national team which won the gold medal in the last Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta and the PFF had accepted the invitation.
Araneta said that the Indonesian national team which lost in the finals of the SEA Games to Malaysia will visit Manila for a match against the Azkals on June 5, to be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium or in the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
Since China ?hasn?t responded to the PFF invitation to play the Azkals? in a celebration of Philippine Independence Day, Araneta said he had contacted the president of the Football Association of Thailand Dato Worawi Makudi,inviting the Thai national team to play the Azkals on June 12.
Araneta told us he hopes to finalize an agreement with Thailand during the upcoming visit of the football association president to Manila. In case Thailand is unable to make the trip Araneta said he plans to invite a middle-east country for the Independence Day match.
In the latest world rankings by the governing body for football, FIFA, the Philippines coached by Michael Weiss moved up eight places to 148 with Thailand down two slots from its previous ranking to 141 with Indonesia down four places to 151 and Malaysia also down 4 places to 156.
Araneta also indicated that after the current five nations rugby tournament ends on Saturday the Rizal Memorial football field will be closed to prepare it for the June matches.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026