Azkals undergo high-altitude training in Baguio


source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals have begun their high-altitude training in Baguio City ahead of the second leg of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup qualifier versus Mongolia.



The Filipinos football players held their second day of training at the football grounds of Brent International School in Baguio. Last Monday, they had practice sessions in Benguet University.

The Azkals will spend a full week of training in Baguio to improve their stamina.

“They have small problems to adapt because the air is really thin and it takes some time to adapt,” said Azkals German coach, Hans Michael Weiss.

He added that the thin air in Baguio, which is 4,921 feet above sea level, makes the city an ideal place for practice.

“In the end you'll have more oxygen in the blood and it will pay off later on,” said Weiss.

Fans were kept at a distance to allow the Azkals to concentrate on practice.

Some, however, were able to slip through the sidelines to get autographs and have their pictures taken with members of the football team.

The Azkals will have a tune-up game against the Baguio football team on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Filipino-British midfielder Phil Younghusband maintained that he and his brother, James, have not yet entered any deal with the Indonesian football league.

He also assured that the Azkals will remain as their No. 1 priority.

“Nothing is finalized for now so we'll just concentrate playing for the Azkals,” said Younghusband.

Fellow midfielder Jason de Jong has already signed a contract with Indonesian football club, Persiba Balikpapan.

Another Azkals player being recruited by an Indonesian club is team captain Aly Borromeo.

All of them, however, promised suiting up for the Nationals for international competitions. – With a report from Anna Sibayan, ABS-CBN News North Luzon

                              

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