The Azkals face roadblocks ahead of the FIFA WCQ and Asian Cup Qualifiers

As the preparations for the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers continue, the Philippine Azkals are facing their first major roadblock ahead as Bienvenido Marañon's naturalization may come in late for the said matches.

A lot of new faces are coming in for The Azkals ahead of the qualifiers but one name still needs to be put on the line-up as the Filipinos look for a passage towards the next round.

That name is Bienvenido Marañon. While he's still waiting for his naturalization to be signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte which would allow him to play the remaining matches of the Philippines against Guam, China, and the Maldives, Angelo Kouame, whose process ran side by side with that of Marañon, was already granted Filipino citizenship after his naturalization was signed into law last Monday.

The Philippine Football Federation released a statement through their president Mr. Nonong Araneta saying, "We understand the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the process which may have stalled Bienve’s papers in Congress."

He also said, "It is unfortunate that Bienve wasn’t able to get his naturalization on the same day as Angelo as both of them went through the process together." Though it is a major roadblock for the national team, Araneta's still hoping to see Marañon's naturalization be passed just in time for the qualifiers.

"We have been facing challenges in preparing the men’s national team for the remaining matches of the joint FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in China starting June 3. We were hoping that the urgency of our situation would have made the process of Bienve's naturalization faster," said Araneta.

While they are already facing this predicament, the Azkals are looking for another setback as their Chinese visas are yet to be given to them.

With these challenges coming in, the Philippines are up for another rollercoaster ride towards their chase for greatness and a dig at glory as they shoot for the next round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and a return to the AFC Asian Cup group stages.