Capellas Capellas PFF photo

All eyes on Capellas in King’s Cup

October 11, 2024 Theodore P. Jurado 238 views

SPANISH coach Albert Capellas makes his much-awaited debut for the Philippines in the King’s Cup, which kicks off today in Songkhla, Thailand.

All eyes on the Filipinos on how they will embrace Capellas’ system and the changes he will adopt for the team starting in the 9 p.m. match with host Thailand at the Tinsulanon Stadium.

“We want to play offensive football. We want to attack games. I feel if you want to win, you really have to deserve it. We want to use the 90 minutes plus extra time to do our best to try win the games,” Capellas said.

With Kevin Ingreso and Jesper Nyholm out due to injuries, Phnom Penh Crown’s Jarvey Gayoso and Kaya FC-Iloilo’s Audie Menzi have been brought in for the tournament.

With the aim of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup, Capellas is hoping to use the October and November international windows, and the ASEAN championships in December, to ensure the team arrives at the start of the Asian Cup qualifiers in March next year fully prepared to execute the vision.

After the King’s Cup, the Philippines will have international friendlies during the November 11-18 FIFA window and will compete in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup from December 12 to 24 and will play until January if team progresses to the final.

“It won’t be easy. This is a project. It will be a journey, a process. There will be ups and downs. Sometimes we will fail. Our job is to make sure we learn from the fails,” said Capellas.

“We will try to climb the mountain with a safe journey and go as far as possible. I hope the fans will be able to see the changes in October, and in November and December. But it won’t be everything at one time,” he added.

The third-place match and the final will be held on Sunday.

Syria and Tajikistan are the other teams competing in the King’s Cup.

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