Before historic Asian Cup berth, Azkals to revisit 'Miracle in Hanoi'

MANILA, Philippines – Before making their milestone appearance in Asia's biggest stage in January 2019, the Philippine Azkals will first embark on an equally important and highly sentimental mission on the Southeast Asian front — the AFF Suzuki Cup in November.

"It will certainly be a priority," Azkals team manager Dan Palami said of the biennial Asean bootfest, which served as the Pinoy booters' springboard to prominence in 2010.

"Doon tayo nagsimula (That's where the team started) and that's a very good preparation for the Asian Cup (set two months after)," he added.

The Azkals made a surprising semifinal appearance in the Suzuki Cup in the so-called "Miracle in Hanoi" eight years ago, kicking off Azkals-mania and emboldening them to aspire for greater things.

After two more Last-4 stints in 2012 and 2014, Philippines XI fell short when the country hosted one of the groups two years ago, a debacle the Filipinos hope to atone for this year.

Palami said given the schedule, local and Asean-based stalwarts will likely be tapped for the Suzuki Cup campaign.

"Iyung Suzuki Cup hindi Fifa international days (The Suzuki Cup doesn't fall on Fifa international break) so most probably, the local players and those playing in Southeast Asia ang mare-release (will be the only ones whom their respective clubs will release to the national team). But majority of our Asian Cup team will be there," he said.

Among those plying their trade in the region are Misagh Bahadoran and Iain Ramsay, who are both in Malaysia, and Micahel Falkesgaard and Pika Minegishi, who play in Thailand.

The draw for the Asean tilt, which will also feature two other 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Thailand and Vietnam, is slated on May 2.

"We hope we get a good draw," said Palami.