IT WILL be a tough draw once again for the Philippine Azkals men’s football team.
They will have another challenging campaign in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup after they were put in a difficult group, which includes two-time champion Thailand, Just like in 2016.
Members of the team learned about result of the the draw after it was held yesterday afternoon at the Hotel Mulia Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The draw results were live-streamed online for each member country to immediately view.
The Azkals will also go up against Singapore, Indonesia, and the winner of the qualification round between Timor Lester and Brunei.
Malaysia is in a separate group (A) with Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
As a result of the draw, Singapore and Malaysia will not meet this time.
That’s because the Singapore Lions were drawn into Group B with the Azkals, while Malaysia made it to Group A.
The first game will be on Nov. 9 with Singapore taking on Indonesia and then on Nov. 13, with the Azkals clashing with the Lions.
“The long journey to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup has finally been accomplished. We now look forward having a favorable draw in both the Suzuki Cup and the Asian Cup,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr.