Azkals play Japan team Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — With temperature between 6 and 0 degrees, the Philippine Azkals got their wish of being able to almost duplicate weather conditions in Mongolia as they arrived in Gotemba City in Japan Tuesday to prepare for their crucial March 15 rematch against Mongolia.

The Azkals will play the first of a two-game tune up games against two local university teams Wednesday with the weather likely to test the fitness and ability of the Filipinos to adjust to the harsh condition.

The team practiced at an artificial pitch at the J-Village in Gotemba City Tuesday as some members felt the chill of playing for the first time to near zero degrees Celsius.

“Yung ibang players naninibago pa sa lamig. But for sure they will get used to it,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, quoting Dan Palami, who was with the team.

“Si Dan (Palami) nga sabi niya sa akin inu-ubo siya sa lamig,” Araneta added.

Before flying to Japan, the Azkals also went to Baguio City two weeks ago for their high-altitude training, but the cold condition – about 13 degrees Celsius – in the country’s Summer Capital was no match to Japan’s.

The winter weather in Japan suits well for the Azkals preparation for the cold Ulan Bator, where temperature dips between minus 20 and 8 degrees.

Concern over the weather in Ulan Bator had dominated the country’s preparations against the Mongols, whom the Azkals beat 2-0 in their initial meeting at the Panaad Stadium in the Bacolod City last Feb. 9.

Although a number of the Fil-foreigners in the squad are familiar with freezing weather, Palami said some of the players especially hometown stars like Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta have never played under sub-zero condition.

But German coach Hans Michael Weiss is confident the team can pull it through with help of Fil-foreigners in the team, who are used to the cold condition.

“I’m happy that I got the news that Rey Jonnson will come, we have Phil, James (Younghusband), Greatwich and (Jason) De Jong in the team,” Weiss said.

Jonnson, a defender, will join the Azkals in Ulan Bator along with De Jong because of different commitments.

/via Manila Bulletin (by By FRANCIS SANTIAGO, March 8 2011)