Azkals to undergo big makeover

by Peter Atencio

THE Philippine national football team, otherwise known as the Azkals, is in for a big makeover.

Only six players are expected to remain in the roster as officials of the Philippine Football Federation are working on assembling a new squad for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

National team manager Dan Stephen Palami, who is in Frankfurt, Germany, yesterday told Manila Standard that they are forming a young team for the biennial meet.

“We are still to decide who will make up the team. It’s going to be an under-23 team to the Southeast Asian Games,” said Palami.

But 20-year-old Neil Etheridge, the Azkals’ 6’3” Fil-British goalkeeper, is staying put, along with Fil-Dutch booter Jason de Jong and Fil-German teammate Manny Ott.

Also staying are University of Santo Tomas standout David Basa and Fil-German midfielder Mark Drinkuth.

The search for new players, who will make up the national under-23 team, will begin next week when the PFF conducts tryouts.

Palami, who is meeting with officials of the German Football Association to discuss an assistance program for the PFF, said the six will comprise the nucleus of the new Azkals’ squad.

British coach Simon McMenemy’s fate is still up in the air after steering the Azkals to the 2010 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup semifinals.

Football officials will discuss with McMenemy, who has returned to England last month, if they can still renew his one-year contract.

“It depends. We have not decided yet,” stated Palami.

The Azkals will miss strikers Chris Greatwich and the Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, along with Fil-British Rob Gier, Anton del Rosario, team captain Aly Borromeo, Chieffy Caligdong, Yanti Barsales and Ian Araneta.

Most of the players, who will be leaving have been around over the last six years.

The Philippines has not sent a football team to the SEA Games since 2005 when it was held in Manila.

Manila Standard