Stephan Schrock—THE AZKALS PHOTO

The Philippine Azkals mark their official return on the international stage, albeit on a different setting, on Thursday when they play two matches in the opener of the Asia 7s Championship in Elmina, Malaysia.

National team legend Stephan Schrock is set to spearhead the Azkals’ quest to begin their title bid on the right track at EV Arena, where they play Hong Kong at 6 p.m. and host Malaysia at 10 p.m.

Article continues after this advertisement

Schrock and the Azkals are in Group B that also includes India, which the Philippines will play on Friday to wrap up the classification stage.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS PBA Finals: TNT carries extra weapons into duel vs Ginebra SPORTS 2024 PBA Finals schedule: Barangay Ginebra vs TNT Tropang Giga SPORTS Tim Cone, Ginebra locked in on getting back at TNT for PBA title

Japan, which won the inaugural staging last year in Taguig City, is in Group A with Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam.

No team will be eliminated after the initial phase, so the Azkals will have to win as many games as possible in order to have a better pairing come the quarterfinals.

Article continues after this advertisement Smaller pitch

The tournament is a 7-a-side format, meaning that each team will field seven players on a smaller pitch, compared to the standard football game.

Article continues after this advertisement

It will be the first tournament for the new incarnation of the Azkals, the former moniker of the men’s national team during the time Dan Palami held the role of team manager.

The Philippine Football Federation, which is under new management, decided to no longer use the Azkals moniker earlier this year.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.s5 online casino

READ NEXT Archer Quiambao, Eagle Dela Rosa hold wide leads in MVP derbies PSC bats for multievent games for 2025 EDITORS' PICK ‘Bar Boys’ musical is extending its run. Here’s why you *must* see it West PH Sea: Indonesia drives out China coast guard ship from disputed waters LPA outside PAR may become tropical depression Friday – Pagasa LIST: Class suspensions on Friday, October 25 due to Kristine Marikina River under second alarm 2024 Nat’l Arts and Crafts Fair starts: Celebrating Filipino ingenuity MOST READ West PH Sea: Indonesia drives out China coast guard ship from disputed waters LIVE UPDATES: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine LPA outside PAR may become tropical depression Friday – Pagasa Storm Kristine update: Signal No. 2 in Metro Manila, 23 Luzon areas View comments

• PH
• s5 online casino
• Legend
• Schrock
• spearheads