Phil Younghusband confident of Azkals strong showing in Suzuki Cup

By David Pallasique

[Photo taken by S. Kieron Tan]

CHICAGO, USA -- PHILLIPPINE Azkals top striker Phil Younghusband is confident that they can replicate or even surpass their 4th place finish in the Suzuki Cup in 2010 when they go up against powerhouse teams in this year's edition in Malaysia.

The Azkals are drawn with powerhouse Thailand, and Vietnam plus the winner of the qualifying tournament between Cambodia, Timor Leste, Myanmar, Brunei and Laos.

Philip Younghusband, who won the golden boot award with six goal in the last AFC Challenge Cup sounded cautious but optimistic.

"It was the most difficult outcome that would have been possible, but if we want to show how far we've come and want to win the competition, we have to win against the best teams."

Azkals manager, Dan Palami who together with the Philippine Football Federation has arranged a 15 day training camp in Chicago, USA starting August 3 and scheduled a friendly game against the MLS' Chicago fire also added that it is a difficult draw no matter how you look at it but if we want to win the tournament, preparation is the key.

The competition will start on Nov. 24 and will run until Dec. 1 and will be played at the Rajamangala stadium in Thailand and the Bukit Jalil stadium in Malaysia.

Group A: Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Qualifier(winner)

Group B: Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Qualifier(runner-up) DP