Azkals unbowed after 0-2 loss to Singapore, host Nepal next

MANILA, Philippines - Smarting from their 0-2 loss to Singapore, the Philippine Azkals hope to draw inspiration from the home crowd when they host Nepal tomorrow at the Rizal Stadium, the first international friendly on home soil in 14 years.

“We’ve worked so hard to finally get this chance (of playing at home) so we’ll do our best to protect Rizal,” said veteran Chieffy Caligdong, co-captain of the full-strength Azkals side (166th) that will have an added reinforcement against Nepal (135th) in Fil-British defender Rob Gier, absent in Friday’s setback to Singapore (136th).

Although the refurbished Rizal pitch has already hosted two legs of the Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers this year, Phl-Sri Lanka (first round) and Phl-Kuwait (second round), the Azkals’ 7 p.m. duel with Nepal will be the first friendly since 1997.

That time, the Philippines played host to Estonia but lost, 0-1.

“We’ve been playing many games overseas and as happy as we are with the support of Filipinos wherever we play, it’s still a different feeling playing at Rizal,” said Caligdong.

Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara, who are making their maiden appearance at Rizal, share Caligdong’s excitement.

“It’s always special playing at home,” said Cagara, a pro in Germany. “Most of our (Azkals) teammates have shared their stories of how good the feeling is playing in Rizal. We’re looking forward to it already.”

Gier returns after skipping the Long Teng Cup and the Singapore friendly, beefing up the defensive line of the Azkals team that’s expected to go all out for a victory against the Nepalese.

“We can’t just allow Nepal to come over here and dominate us. We are not the favored team so we’re hopeful that we would get all the support at Rizal,” said team manager Dan Palami.