Azkals ready, excited to play before home crowd

"Cohesion takes time," Philippines men's national football team coach Michael Weiss said Saturday morning as he asked for understanding as regards the performance of his players thus far. But for Sunday's World Cup Qualifiers match, Weiss assured that his team is feeling "no pressure" because they are fit, excited and happy to play on home soil.

Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo said, "Team spirit's high." He explained the team's excitement about Sunday's match is partly due to the fact that they will try to qualify for the World Cup before a home crowd.

Weis said that with the unavailability of Ray Jonsson, "We had to make adjustments." He also said it was important for the team "to get back into mental fitness and physical fitness" as soon as they got home, so he gave the national players time "to refresh and settle down with
their families."

Sri Lanka coach Jang Jung noted the "tight schedule and one-day rest." He said his team is " injury-free and morale is high." The Korean coach said they are ready to play and hopefully win before their opponents' home crowd.

Weiss said during the news conference at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex that he has "yet to make up his mind" on who will comprise the line-up he will field tomorrow. He said he will decide after the Azkals' practice sessions Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the local organizing committee announced, through its media officer Rick Olivares, that several hundred more tickets will be available through Ticketworld tomorrow. Olivares advised all ticketholders to please be guided by the list of prohibited items that security personnel will not allow spectators to bring into the Rizal Stadium. He stressed that security will be strict and tight.

Olivares also said the weather may be warm tomorrow so everyone who will go to Sunday's football game should "dress comfortably."

Umbrellas are among the prohibited items, so should it rain, spectators should have raincoats or waterproof jackets just in case.

The local organizing committee also advised people who come to the stadium with their motor vehicles to park at the nearby malls and the grounds of the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex. The road in front of the football stadium, M. Adriatico, will be closed to most vehicular traffic, allowing entry only for the vehicles of the very important persons (VIPs), the host broadcaster and the commercial concessionaires.

Olivares said the Azkals will be wearing blue on Sunday. Filipino football fans were earlier advised to also wear blue.

Earl Victor Rosero, GMA News TV