by: ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA
THE PHILIPPINE Men’s Football Team seeks to add glitter to their record as they return to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup that will begin tomorrow in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Philippine Azkals will banner eight veterans from the 2012 version of the region’s premier cup namely team skipper Rob Gier, Juani Guirado, Chris Greatwich, Paul Mulders, Patrick Reichelt, Jerry Lucena, and brothers Phil and James Younghusband.
THE PHILIPPINE Men’s Football Team seeks to add glitter to their record as they return to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup that will begin tomorrow in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Philippine Azkals will banner eight veterans from the 2012 version of the region’s premier cup namely team skipper Rob Gier, Juani Guirado, Chris Greatwich, Paul Mulders, Patrick Reichelt, Jerry Lucena, and brothers Phil and James Younghusband.
Completing the 21-man squad are Manny Ott, Misagh Bahadoran, Mark Hartmann, Daisuke Sato, Amani Aguinaldo, Patrick Deyto, Martin Steuble, Simone Rota, Simon Greatwich, Timos Trigo, Curt Dizon, Kenshiro Daniels, and debuting Azkal Dennis Villanueva.
Deyto plays as the Filipinos’ number one keeper after the European-based goalies Neil Etheridge and Roland Muller were not able to get releases from their respective clubs. Trigo, who plays as the keeper of Team Socceroo, will be the only reserve goalie.
“Patrick [Deyto] is not a veteran, but he plays like one. He has been showing great performance with the Azkals so far,” said Jorge Kuriyama, Azkals’ goalkeeping coach, in an email.
The national team will also miss the servicse of top midfielder Stephan Schrock, who plays in Bundesliga, Chieffy Caligdong and Jason De Jong, who announced his retirement from the Philippine Team earlier this year.
The Azkals will rely on the lone natural striker Phil Younghusband and attacking midfielder Mark Hartmann of Global Football Club who scored seven international goals for Azkals in just three games.
“No matter what happens, I will give my hundred percent to this game. I know my boys will do the same,” Reichelt said in a text message.
The 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup served as the Azkal’s phenomenal start where they had unexpectedly beat Vietnam, the former champions, to climb up to the Final Four.
The Philippine team will launch their campaign in Group A against Laos on Saturday.
Deyto plays as the Filipinos’ number one keeper after the European-based goalies Neil Etheridge and Roland Muller were not able to get releases from their respective clubs. Trigo, who plays as the keeper of Team Socceroo, will be the only reserve goalie.
“Patrick [Deyto] is not a veteran, but he plays like one. He has been showing great performance with the Azkals so far,” said Jorge Kuriyama, Azkals’ goalkeeping coach, in an email.
The national team will also miss the servicse of top midfielder Stephan Schrock, who plays in Bundesliga, Chieffy Caligdong and Jason De Jong, who announced his retirement from the Philippine Team earlier this year.
The Azkals will rely on the lone natural striker Phil Younghusband and attacking midfielder Mark Hartmann of Global Football Club who scored seven international goals for Azkals in just three games.
“No matter what happens, I will give my hundred percent to this game. I know my boys will do the same,” Reichelt said in a text message.
The 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup served as the Azkal’s phenomenal start where they had unexpectedly beat Vietnam, the former champions, to climb up to the Final Four.
The Philippine team will launch their campaign in Group A against Laos on Saturday.