MANILA, Philippines – German coach Michael Weiss is beaming with pride over the accomplishments of his boys in the just concluded 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.
The Philippine Azkals finished third in the biennial tournament, a first in Philippine football.
"I would like to congratulate my team. They showed fighting spirit. I am very proud and want to take this opportunity to thank Filipino supporters for their kind support,” Weiss said in Goal Nepal.
The Azkals were the underdogs of the tournament, having been clustered in the “group of death” together with defending champion North Korea and former titlists India and Tajikistan.
After losing to the fleet-footed Koreans in their opening game, the Filipino booters overcame adversity by pulling upsets against India and Tajikistan to barge into the semifinals.
The Philippine side may have conceded to perennial finalist Turkmenistan, but it was able to engage a tough Palestinian squad in a spirited match for third place.
"The match was a thriller. Do or die. I think we deserved this place (third position)," said Weiss, the former coach of J-League team Purple Sanga Kyoto.
“I am very proud to be a part in this development of Filipino football,” he added.
Courtesy of: abs-cbn.com
Courtesy of: abs-cbn.com
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