Azkals, Taiwanese square off

The Philippine national men's football team is back in action as it faces Chinese Taipei in a friendly match tonight at the Kaohsiung National Stadium in Taipei.

Kickoff starts at 7 p.m. as the Azkals will play one of the two friendly matches for the month.

After the game against Chinese Taipei, the Philippines will host Afghanistan on 12 September at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Azkals are looking for payback after a 2-3 heartbreak against Chinese Taipei last June in Manila.

This will be Azkals head coach Hans Michael Weiss' third match with the team since returning last June.

Birmingham City FC and Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge will once again banner the team with defenders Daisuke Sato and Armani Aguinaldo, midfielders Kevin Ingreso and Sandro Reyes and forwards Patrick Reichelt and Bienvenido Marañon providing solid backup.

The Azkals are using this tournament to prepare for the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, which begins on 16 November.

Weiss, who was the Azkals coach from 2011 to 2014, said they can't be complacent regardless of who they are up against.

In the latest International Football Federation rankings, the Philippines is at No. 135 while Chinese Taipei sits at No. 153.

"We are preparing against countries who are 'lower-ranking' than us but that doesn't matter on the gameday. Anything can happen," Weiss said.

"I want them to create chances and opportunities and put their foot on the gas."