Azkals open Peace Cup title defense vs Chinese Taipei

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals relish the opportunity to put up an impressive performance before their countrymen as they start their title defense tonight in the shortened PFF Peace Cup at the new-look Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

First order of business is Chinese-Taipei, a side that handed it a loss last year, in a 7 p.m. dispute for a finals berth in the four-nation tourney that’s been reduced to a two-day affair due to a recent International Football Federation (FIFA) directive.

Asian Cup-bound Palestine and Asean bet Myanmar tangle at 4 p.m. in the opening fixture.

Winners of today’s double-header will march to the gold medal match on Saturday night while losers will contest the bronze on the same day.

“The guys know what’s at stake and it’s nice to be back in Manila, it’s been a while (since the Azkals last played at Rizal),” said Azkals skipper Rob Gier during yesterday’s pre-tournament press confederence at Manila Hotel.

“The team looks pretty good,” said Phl coach Thomas Dooley. “We’ve had tough training sessions because we want to move on the right direction and almost everybody is where he should be.”