Philippines' Woodland aiming high in return to UAE

Dubai: The Philippines may be in unchartered territory ahead of their first-ever AFC Asian Cup Finals match on Monday, but, for one of their players, UAE 2019 is something of a triumphant homecoming.

Azkals midfielder Luke Woodland (pictured above, centre) was born in Abu Dhabi, just over an hour away from Dubai's Al Maktoum Stadium, where the Southeast Asians will begin their Group C campaign against the highly-rated Korea Republic.

Woodland's family relocated to England when he was two years old, but he revealed his delight at returning to the country of his birth for the Philippines' historic first step on the Continental stage.

"My dad worked in Dubai for five years, then was in Abu Dhabi for two more years," he explained.

"So for me, when I knew the Asian Cup was being held here, I thought it’s my first Asian Cup, great venue, great city to be in, big Filipino community as well, so good for the team, and for me, I love it out here."

Upwards of 600,000 Filipinos live and work in the United Arab Emirates, with over 400,000 based in Dubai alone, and Woodland hopes these numbers will translate into a surge of support for an Azkals side facing the 2015 AFC Asian Cup runners-up.

"(There's a) big community here," said the Woodland. "We’ve played in Qatar before, we’ve played in Bahrain before, and a big Filipino community there came and supported us, so for sure we’re going to have people behind us as well.

"So for us to come out here it kind of helps the Philippines as a country, with us coming to the tournament helps us push up the sport a little bit, it’s good for the country and good for us."

After Monday's opener, the Philippines will meet China PR and fellow debutants Kyrgyz Republic as they look to extend their stay in UAE beyond the group stage.

Having qualified for the AFC Asian Cup Finals for the first time, and fresh from reaching the semi-finals in the 2018 AFF Championship, the Southeast Asians are riding high, and - while under no illusions as to the seriousness of the challenge at hand - Woodland remains calm and confident of a strong showing.

"The feeling in the team is good, the (AFF Championship) squad is basically the same team. One or two players come in, come out, (but it's the) same team we’ve brought here, so everyone knows each other for a long time," he revealed.

"We’ve got a very tough game in our first game against Korea Republic. First and foremost, it’s a very good experience for us boys, and a good chance to get our names out there as well.

"Realistically, I think we can push for third spot (in the group). We’ve played China before, we know how they are, how they play. We’ve played Kyrgyz Republic before. Korea Republic; we’ve got to respect them as a big team going into the tournament and let’s just see what we can do against them.

While no Philippines player has previously appeared in a major international tournament, they are under tutelage of one of the competition's most experienced head coaches in Sven-Göran Eriksson.

The 70-year-old former England boss has enjoyed a glittering coaching career which has included trips to three FIFA World Cups, and having such experience in the Azkals' corner is invaluable according to Woodland.

"For me, Sven - growing up in the UK as well - he was in my prime England days with (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard, all those boys, so having a coach like Sven, he’s got the wisdom, he’s been through so many squads, you can’t question what he’s doing," he said.

"For the boys there’s no better coach for us at the moment, and Scott (Cooper), Chris (Greatwich), all the other boys behind Sven. It’s perfect for us going into this tournament with the history and knowledge Sven’s got, and Scott backing him up.

"It’s good for us. A lot of teams know the Philippines coming into this tournament.

"Who’s the gaffer? Sven. Alright let’s have a good go."

Photos: AFC, AFP


Source: the-afc.com