Little Azkals square off with Chelsea in first of two matches

THE Philippine Under 14 football team otherwise known as the Little Azkals will once again get a chance to prove that it is the country’s future in the sport when they face Chelsea FC U14 in the first of their two exhibition matches this 3 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

The team, which finished third in the Japan-East Asean Football Exchange Programme U-14 Youth Football Festival held at the J-Green Sakai, in Osaka Japan last year, will be missing the services of striker Dimitri Lionel “Troy” Limbo, who was not allowed by his school to play.

While Limbo cheers his teammate from the sidelines, Jovan Marfiga will be taking his place in the right wing.

Aside from Limbo, the team will also be missing Kintaro “King” Miyagi, Gio Pabualan, John William Abraham and Shanden Vergara. The four have prior commitments.

Head coach Oliver Colina said they will be following their usual formation—the 4-4-1-1.

According to Colina, their two practices yesterday were focused on refreshing their system of play and team work as they come from different parts of the country and have not had a chance for a longer bonding after their training camp last December was cancelled.

The last time that the national U14 has played together was in October where they clinched the first runner-up honors in the 5th Pintaflores National U16 Invitational Football Cup in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

In today’s game, Colina said that they will also lessen their man-to-man markings. Team captain Jed Diamante of Davao will take on the role of striker while assistant team captain Josh Miller of Manila will be part of the back four./CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON