THE Cebu Football Association’s (CFA) hosting of Cebu’s first international friendly match between the Philippine Azkals and the Singapore Lions was finally confirmed with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the CFA, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and Azkals management.
The match dubbed as “Faceoff” will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) football field.
Present during the signing yesterday at the Casino Espanol were Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Stephen Palami, PFF new secretary general Atty. Ed Gastanes and members of the CFA board headed by president Pericles “Ricky” Dakay.
Palami said the Azkals are very excited to play in the first international match here in Cebu.
“We hope that this will be a successful hosting for Cebu and we hope that we will also win again against Singapore, the three-time AFF Suzuki Cup champion,” Palami said.
Palami, who has been to the CCSC to check on the football field, said the pitch does need work but he believes that the CFA will be able to put it in a condition that will be acceptable to international standards.
“I have faith in the CFA and what they have done so far,” Palami said.
The Azkals lineup for the friendly will be comprised of the Peace Cup lineup plus the Younghusbands—Phil and James, Juani Guirado, Rob Gier and Ray Anthony Jonsson.
This will be like a homecoming game for the half Filipino-half Icelandic Jonsson whose mother hails from Liloan.
The Azkals will be arriving earlier to grace the opening of the 15th Aboitiz Football Cup on Nov. 11.
The CFA also updated Palami and Gastanes with the preparations for the Azkals-Lions match.
The week of the international friendly match will be a very busy week for the CFA as it will also be hosting the PFF Board of Governors (BOG) meeting from Nov. 13 to 14 and the PFF National Congress on Nov. 14 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug, Cebu City. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON