Source: Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine team goalkeeper Neil Etheridge went straight to the training ground after arriving yesterday in Bacolod as the Azkals started putting the finishing touches to their qualifying match against Mongolia for the first leg of the AFC Challenge Cup
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Philippine team goalkeeper Neil Etheridge went straight to the training ground after arriving yesterday in Bacolod as the Azkals started putting the finishing touches to their qualifying match against Mongolia for the first leg of the AFC Challenge Cup
Having played for the country 18 times since making his international debut in Iloilo City three years ago, Etheridge sees no problem blending with the Azkals, whose core have remained the same in the past six years.
“The team being formed again late shouldn’t be a surprise as this has always happened,” Etheridge told the Inquirer upon arriving in Manila Saturday night. “I’m sure that the team will bond quickly and become a stronger force.”
Leftback Ray Jonnson also trained with the squad for the first time since arriving from Iceland Saturday night. The team is only waiting for central defender, Rob Gier, who will join the squad this morning.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami said the squad is now primed for the showdown with Mongolia in what is considered as the most highly anticipated home match in recent history.
“I think we are ready with the arrival of Neil (Etheridge) and our other defenders,” Palami told the Inquirer over the phone. “With the
team that we have now, I am optimistic that we will be able to live up to the hype.”
Two players who are not on the Challenge Cup squad—Filipino-Scottish brothers Ryan and James Hall—joined training over the weekend along with Filipino-Danish standouts Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara.
James Hall, 21, has long been a prospect for the national side, but injuries and his commitments with Everton have denied him of a chance of playing for the Azkals earlier.
Lucena and Cagara will not see action against Mongolia as they have yet to secure their Philippine passports.
But Palami said their mere presence during training had a positive influence on the squad. “These are the players who have the caliber to take us to the next level,” said Palami. “They have a positive influence on the squad as they inspire everyone to step up.”
With a couple of days left before the match, Palami stressed that the team is keeping its focus amid all the hoopla surrounding the match.
Palami is expected to reveal the 23-man squad today. Thirty-five players made the trip to Bacolod, some of them picked after impressing in the tryouts last month.
The Mongolians are also arriving in Bacolod today, after reportedly undergoing training in Guangzhou, China to get acclimatized to the weather in the Philippines.
Gier, 29, formed a solid back four with skipper Aly Borromeo, Jonnson and Anton del Rosario in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, where the Azkals yielded just three goals in five matches.
Etheridge, who is fresh off a stint with Fulham’s first team last month, expressed confidence that they can overcome Mongolia.
“The team looks strong and sharp,” Etheridge said. “It will be a new experience for us as we haven’t played Mongolia before but we are looking forward to the challenge. I hope that my presence between the posts can enhance our recent good performances.”
“The team being formed again late shouldn’t be a surprise as this has always happened,” Etheridge told the Inquirer upon arriving in Manila Saturday night. “I’m sure that the team will bond quickly and become a stronger force.”
Leftback Ray Jonnson also trained with the squad for the first time since arriving from Iceland Saturday night. The team is only waiting for central defender, Rob Gier, who will join the squad this morning.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami said the squad is now primed for the showdown with Mongolia in what is considered as the most highly anticipated home match in recent history.
“I think we are ready with the arrival of Neil (Etheridge) and our other defenders,” Palami told the Inquirer over the phone. “With the
team that we have now, I am optimistic that we will be able to live up to the hype.”
Two players who are not on the Challenge Cup squad—Filipino-Scottish brothers Ryan and James Hall—joined training over the weekend along with Filipino-Danish standouts Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara.
James Hall, 21, has long been a prospect for the national side, but injuries and his commitments with Everton have denied him of a chance of playing for the Azkals earlier.
Lucena and Cagara will not see action against Mongolia as they have yet to secure their Philippine passports.
But Palami said their mere presence during training had a positive influence on the squad. “These are the players who have the caliber to take us to the next level,” said Palami. “They have a positive influence on the squad as they inspire everyone to step up.”
With a couple of days left before the match, Palami stressed that the team is keeping its focus amid all the hoopla surrounding the match.
Palami is expected to reveal the 23-man squad today. Thirty-five players made the trip to Bacolod, some of them picked after impressing in the tryouts last month.
The Mongolians are also arriving in Bacolod today, after reportedly undergoing training in Guangzhou, China to get acclimatized to the weather in the Philippines.
Gier, 29, formed a solid back four with skipper Aly Borromeo, Jonnson and Anton del Rosario in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, where the Azkals yielded just three goals in five matches.
Etheridge, who is fresh off a stint with Fulham’s first team last month, expressed confidence that they can overcome Mongolia.
“The team looks strong and sharp,” Etheridge said. “It will be a new experience for us as we haven’t played Mongolia before but we are looking forward to the challenge. I hope that my presence between the posts can enhance our recent good performances.”
