Azkals back to old Rizal for AFC elims

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Azkals will return to Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila as their home venue for the crucial Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Tajikistan on Mar. 28.

This fixture was originally set at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod but due to “difficulties in securing fully-equipped training venues” the Philippine Football Federation decided to relocate it to Rizal.

“We announce that the AFC has approved the PFF’s request to move the final match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers back to Manila,” said PFF president Nonong Araneta.

This will be the first time the Azkals will strut their stuff at the decades-old Rizal since the opening of Asian Cup Qualifiers in March 2017, when they scored a runaway 4-1 triumph over Nepal.

The Pinoy booters played their last home game at Panaad last September, finding themselves settling for a 2-2 draw with Yemen.