There has been very few news articles from our media discussing this game so I am going to add a few from the Nepalese perspective.
Here is one where one of the Nepalese players feels they have to win because of their higher FIFA ranking:
Bhola Silwal: We Have To Win The Match Against Philippines To Prove Our FIFA Ranking
Oct 7, 2011 01:11:33 PM
If you compare the FIFA Ranking between Nepal and Philippines, Gorkhalis have upper hand in the friendly match against Azkals which is scheduled on 11th October at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
In World, Nepal are ranked at 135th position while Philippines are in 166th. In Asia, Gorkhalis are 20th ranked and Azkals 33rd.
Nepal International midfielder, Bhola Silwal feels that the match against Philippines will be exciting one.
“I don’t give much weight on FIFA Ranking. But it is the fact that we are above them (in ranking). We have to win the match to prove our worth”.
“It is surely going to be an exciting match”, Silwal said, “Playing away match is always difficult but we are committed for the win”.
www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=5021&lang=Fortunately, he will be disabused of this notion soon enough. Nepal is not Singapore.
Here is another one from their colorful and experienced British Coach Graham Roberts(who coaches similar to Des Bulpin who a lot of people here seem to like):
Graham Roberts: I Am The Winner; I Don't Want To Loose A Single Match
Oct 7, 2011 10:46:25 AM
Nepal National team head coach, Graham Roberts says he doesn't want to loose a single match in ASEAN Region Tour.
Coach Roberts seemed optimistic, as always, just a day ahead of a month long ASEAN Region tour starting from 8th of October.
Nepal will play at least six friendly matches against National and Olympic sides of ASEAN countries; Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand.
"I don't want to hear a word called "Loss", Coach Roberts said, "Everybody wants to win the match and I am no exception. I am the winner. We have to play for the win".
When asked him about the month long ASEAN Region, Roberts said, "I am thankful to ANFA President, Ganesh Thapa for organizing this much needed trip. We will fully utilize this trip by playing as much as friendlies in ASEAN Region. I am looking forward to fruitful trip".
"See, we are not going to ASEAN Region to win the trophies. We are going there to train hard. Train hard for the SAFF Championship. I want to win SAFF Championship with Nepal. I will use everything in my power to achieve this feat".
"I don't fear any team in SAARC Region", Roberts said, "India, Maldives, Bangladesh. Not at all. We are going to Delhi to win the trophy and Nepalese people can celebrate another "Dashain" in December".
www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=5018&lang=_____________________
Coach Graham is a very experienced player and coach who has played at the highest level at both club and international level(England) and has coached numerous teams with a reputation for coaching nondescript team like Clyde FC and upsetting well financed and famous teams like Celtic FC in the Scottish Cup in 2006 and nearly upsetting Rangers FC as well in the same year. Very UnWeiss like, don't you think?
He has proven himself a strict disciplinarian on and off the field even prohibiting his players from drinking(something that will set off a civil war in the Philippines if attempted and enforced by any authority) ;D during the 2 short off days he gave them as time off in the past Dashain festival as this article suggests:
Graham Roberts: I Will Take Stern Action If Players Are Found Drinking In This Festive Season
Oct 4, 2011 04:33:39 PM
Nepal National team head coach, Graham Roberts has warned players not to drink liquors during this festive season and said he will take stern action if the players are found boozing!
"I have warned them", Coach Roberts said, "I know this is festive season and I have given them two days break not to drink liquors but to spend quality time with their families".
"I can't compromise anyone violating the order", Coach Roberts said, "I might even take players to pathology to check the blood".
Coach Roberts on Tuesday announced two days break (Dashain festival) for the National team players.
Nepal National team is starting a month long tour from 8th of October. The team will take a flight to Bangkok en route to Manila on 8th of October.
www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=5009&lang=He has been responsible for coaching his team to its current(Sep 2011) higher FIFA higher ranking at 135(one higher than Singapore and the highest in South Asia) after being as low as 174(Feb.2011) under the previous coach.
I do think that this ranking is somewhat deceiving as they took advantage of their home advantage(high altitude and poor field conditions) to tie Jordan and win against fellow minnows Timor Leste in the WC qualifiers and tie Sri Lanka, win against Afghanistan and lose by a close margin(albeit to a short handed and weakened team) to North Korea in the AFC Challenge Cup.
I still believe they will find that the Philippines will be a mountain too high to climb especially away from home, inspite of their reputation as intrepid mountain climbers.
In the only match that we have had in common with them recently, they were only able to tie 0-0 Sri Lanka at home while we defeated Sri Lanka by 4 goals, 4-0.
Nevertheless, home advantage or not, Coach Graham should be commended for improving his team so rapidly in the short time he has been at the helm of Nepal and was rewarded with a long term contract as a result.
Here is an earlier article on FIFA.com, where he was credited for Nepal's rise up the rankings:
www.fifa.com/worldranking/news/newsid=1429332/Acc. to FIFA, we have only played Nepal once, a 0-1 loss in 1982. Hopefully we can even the score this time around.