by Cedelf P.Tupas
Don’t be surprised to see a slew of new faces donning the national football team’s colors next year.
With their first competitive tournament still in the middle of next year, Azkals manager Dan Palami yesterday said they will once again refocus their efforts on recruiting young and quality players for the national side seeing action in the first quarter of 2015.
The need to strengthen the side was underlined after the Azkals narrowly missed out on the AFC Challenge Cup title in the Maldives last May and bowing out in the AFF Suzuki Cup early this month
“We really see the need to improve all areas in the team if we want to reach the next level,” Palami said. “It won’t be easy, but if we can focus our efforts on recruiting young players, then we are on the right track.”
Palami is training his sights on finally securing the services of Mike Ott, the younger brother of midfielder, Manny Ott, who was among the outstanding Azkals players in the Suzuki Cup.
The younger Ott, 19, plays for FC Nurnberg in the second division in Germany.
He was called up by former Azkals coach Michael Weiss for the friendly against Hong Kong in June last year, but the attacking midfielder wasn’t fielded in what was a highly-physical affair at Mongkok Stadium.
Azkals coach Thomas Dooley has already expressed his interest in tapping Mike Ott.
Also high on the Azkals’ wish list is Australia-based Iain Ramsay, who has yet to commit for the Philippines despite numerous attempts to get his services.
Although he is also eligible to play for Australia, Ramsay considers playing for the Philippines a “great option.”
The Azkals are also awaiting for touted defender Alvaro Silva to finally secure his passport and play for the team in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/170602/azkals-hope-to-bring-in-new-recruits#ixzz3N8TSz4LO
What new recruits? Alvaro is already capped, albeit without a passport. We've been waiting for Mike Ott for almost two years so not exactly new. Then there's Ramsay who the PFF has been trying to get since 2011 and it wouldn't be a surprise if he still doesn't make the switch in 2015.
ReplyDeleteNothing new here.
Next.
Ramsay has not been in form for 4 years! He had a good season with Adelaide United in 2011 and after that his form has plummeted. Football Australia is not even considering him for friendly that is how mediocre he is. We asked him so many times in the past and he has turned us down all the time. He is nearing 30 so I say forget it!
DeleteRamsay nearing 30? hahahaha. He's 26! Still a good age!
DeleteNot a good age anymore. Thats over the hill. And he rides the bench in a not so good league. And he has turned us doqn countless times. Forget it.
DeleteLol the winner of afc is from oz league
Delete@ Anonymous 29 December 2014 at 15:37
DeleteOver the hill na yung 26? lolz. Halatang troll! But if that's what you want to believe, cge cge lang. lol
I thought "young recruits"? Silva (30 something), Ramsay (nearly 30).
ReplyDeleteKangkong n naman
ReplyDeletePatience is the solution
ReplyDeleteNational Team is not where you should beg players for joining in. It should be considered as an honor for the players themselves and we don't need players with a mindset like "well i'm too good for you but i will play for you guys, be grateful" no matter how good they are. Don't get me wrong, i'm not being against foreign recruit. I fully understand that we have no other choice to compete our rivals until our own grassroots program produces quality players someday. What i'm saying is, when you find an eligible player overseas, contact them, let them know about us, and ask just once if they're interested in playing for us. So if they say yes, cool, bring them. If they say no or don't give a definite answer, then just say "OK, if you change or make up your mind, contact us" and just forget about them for the moment and don't stalk them anymore.
ReplyDeletepinagkagulo na naman kayo ni Cedelf Tupas
Delete