Caligdong injures right foot, might miss Azkals friendlies

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Men’s Football Team will have to go up against Malaysia and Azerbaijan next month undermanned after Chieffy Caligdong sustained an injury in a United Football League match last Saturday, February 15. 

The former Azkals skipper, who emerged into the public’s consciousness after he scored the spectacular opening goal against Mongolia in Bacolod three years ago, fractured his right foot following a collision with national squad teammate Jeffrey Christiaens in the Green Archers United – Global FC tiff that ended in a scoreless draw. 

Caligdong was among the players named in the 34-man Azkals training pool but he could be spending the next four to six weeks on the sidelines, making him unavailable for coach Thomas Dooley’s debut match with the Philippines against Malaysia on March 1 and versus Azerbaijan on March 5. 

In an interview with online sports portal InterAktv, GAU manager Monchu Garcia expressed his confidence that the fleet-footed left winger would be back sooner than expected. 

“Just a cast (is needed by Caligdong, he will be out) four to six weeks according to the doctor but knowing Chieffy, he will be playing sooner,” Garcia told InterAksyon.com earlier this week.

In the past couple of years since the Azkals made its presence felt in the national sports scene, the prized Azkals veteran has been in and out of injuries several times and the squad will be hoping that he can return to tip-top form in time for their Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup to be held in Maldives. Standing on their way in the Group stages are Afghanistan, Laos, and Turkmenistan, whom they will face on March 20, 22 and 24. 

Caligdong has scored 16 international goals for the Philippines since joining the squad in 2004. – Rappler.com