Dooley to remain Azkals coach for next 2 years

 

Philippine national football team boss Dan Palami confirmed that head coach Thomas Dooley would be extending his stay with the squad for another two years.

 

According to Palami, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) together with the team’s management has been delighted with the performance of the Azkals under Dooley.

 

[Read: The football vision of Azkals coach Thomas Dooley]

 

“I think the Philippine Football Federation as well as the management of the Azkals is certainly impressed with what he has done for Philippine football and for the national team,” Palami told GMA News Online.

 

“That is the reason why we have decided to extend his contract for another two years so that he can lead us in the Asian Cup qualifiers,” he added.

 

However, Palami said they are still accomplishing some paperwork before finalizing Dooley's new contract.

 

“All the other conditions remain the same. We are just working on the documents to be signed but in principle and as far as we are all concerned, the show goes on,” he said.

 

Dooley, former captain and assistant coach of the US soccer team, was appointed head coach of the Azkals in February 2014 vice Hans Michael Weiss.

 

Palami said it was an easy decision for them to extend Dooley's contract after he steered the Azkals to a notable performance in the international stage.

 

Dooley recently took the Azkals to a third place finish in the second round of the joint 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2018 Asian Cup qualifiers where the Nationals registered a record of three wins, a draw and four losses including an impressive final game win against North Korea, 3-2, which secured their ticket for the next round of the Asian Cup qualifiers.

 

It was during Dooley's watch when the Philippines recorded their highest ever standing at 116 in the FIFA World Rankings for the month of April.

         

Meanwhile, Palami said the Azkals will have two international friendlies against Syria and Kyrgyzstan as part of their preparations for the upcoming Suzuki Cup.

 

“In June, we have a friendly in Bacolod and then we go to Kyrgyzstan. Hopefully, Syria does not cancel it just like they cancelled their friendly against Vietnam but we are hoping that it will push through. Otherwise, we will continue to look for opponents,” he concluded. — APG, GMA News