AZKALS NEED ROCK-SOLID TEAM FOR AFC

After ending their 2011 campaign with a 4-0 rout of Nepal Tuesday night, the PhilippineAzkals hope to assemble a team that’s as competitive as the full-strength side that played two recent international friendlies for next year’s AFC Challenge Cup.

The Azkals took advantage of the Fifa international match days from Oct. 7-11 to bring in Europe-based players Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Jerry Lucena, Jerry Cagara and Paul Mulders for Phl’s friendlies with Singapore and Nepal. During Fifa calendar days, clubs tend to release players to their national teams.