MANILA – If plans will not miscarry, the Philippines national football team will likely resume its 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers-Preliminary Joint Qualification matches by October.
Recently, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has proposed for second round matches slated in October and November to push through if the situation regarding coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic improves (COVID-19).
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all teams, officials, fans, and stakeholders as well as government travel and medical restrictions. We will also notify all parties should there be a need to reassess the match schedules due to the ever-evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the AFC.
Based on AFC’s schedule, the Azkals are set to clash with Guam on October 8 (home), People’s Republic of China on November 12 (away) and Maldives on November 17 (home)
Azkals matches that were shelved due to the pandemic were against Guam last March 6, People’s Republic of China on June 4 and Maldives on June 9.
The national football team currently stands third in Group A of the joint qualifiers with seven points built on two wins, two losses and a draw – eight points behind leaders Syria.
The winner and possibly the runner-up of each group will advance to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and will also gain direct berths to the 2023 Asian Cup in China.
Third placers, meanwhile, will progress to the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers./PN
