Azkals: Azkals get high-tech winter outfits

Friday, March 4, 2011

Azkals get high-tech winter outfits

PFF president Nonong Araneta and Chieffy Caligdong check the jersey provided by Mizuno. (Photo by MARK BALMORES)

For sure, the Philippine Azkals will no longer chill under the freezing condition when they battle Mongolian Blue Wolves in the second leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifier in Ulan Bator on March 15.

That’s because the Azkals will be wearing a high-tech football gear equipped with a Japanese thermal technology made especially by Mizuno, the official outfitter of the Philippine Football Federation.

Paolo Cagalingan, Master Sports-Mizuno general manager, said apart from the long-sleeved jersey, shorts, pair of socks, and gloves, Mizuno will provide the 23-man Azkals thermal underwear equipped with “Breath Thermo” and "Thermal Plus" technology that will keep the players warm even when the temperature drops to a chilly condition. The thermal technology is used by Japanese teams competing in winter events. The Ulan Bator match is set at 1 p.m., the warmest time of day with temperature ranging from -2 and -15 degrees Celsius.

The Azkals' modified uniform for the game in Ulan Bator consists of two layers. The inner layer is composed of a long-sleeved top and tights for the legs. The outer layer consists of a sky blue gear with white lining and an embroidery of the Philippine flag on the right sleeve.

“With these gears, I believe we can do better than what we did in Bacolod City,” PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said after the formal turnover of the Mizuno gears to the national team at the PFF headquarters in Pasig City yesterday.

Araneta was referring to Azkals 2-0 victory over Mongolia during the first leg of their home-and-away match at the Panaad Stadium.

Mizuno GM Paolo Cagalingan turns over the new "winter gear" to Azkals co-captain Chieffy Caligdong and PFF president Mariano Araneta (Photo by Barry Viloria, abs-cbnNEWS.com)

/via miakka's twitter

Azkals co-team captain Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong said the thermal wear will help the players focused more on the game because they will no longer worry of the cold condition. “Malaking tulong ito especially sa mga locals na hindi sanay sa ganung kalamig na kondisyon,” Caligdong said.

Cagalingan noted that the jerseys will have long sleeves but will remain lightweight so it will not limit the movements of the players on the pitch.

Cagalingan said the team will be using the uniform once they begin training in Japan from March 7 to 12. The PFF hopes the winter in Japan will help acclimatize the Azkals in time for the Mongolia game.

Caligalingan also said they will come out with the national team’s jerseys for the World Cup qualifier the PFF is hoping to host in June.

The jerseys will go on sale in May.