The Fighting Filipinos

 By Erel Cabatbat

November 28, 2024, 9:10 pm

Several players set to play for the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 will arrive this weekend to join the national training camp starting on December 2 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Freddy Gonzalez, the Philippine Football Federation’s Director of National Senior Teams and concurrent manager of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team, said most players who were fixtures in the two previous windows, will be back. Those who are based in Southeast Asia, particularly those playing in Indonesia and Thailand, will fly back to Manila earlier than some of their teammates.

“So guys like John-Patrick Strauß, Scott Woods, Jeffrey Tabinas and Jesse Curran will be released by their respective teams after their Champions League games,” Gonzalez said.

He also revealed that Michael Kempter, Bjorn Kristensen, and Paul Tabinas will be in Manila by December 8. Dylan Demuncyk, who is still nursing an injury, will likely miss the team’s opening game in the Mitsubishi Cup, but is expected to suit up for the second game. Alex Monis is in the country for several days now, practicing with Kaya FC Iloilo. Gonzalez also revealed that Sebastian Rasmussen will miss the tournament because of a hamstring injury, while Joshua Grommen remains questionable due to some personal concerns. Gerrit Holtmann and Santi Rublico will be available after the group stage.

Despite this, Gonzalez also revealed that coach Albert Capellas has invited several players to meet him in Manila. These players include David Choiniere, Rocket Ritarita, Andrei Leopold, Adrian Ugelvik and Pocholo Bugas.

Choiniere has expressed his intention to play for the Philippines after much prodding from Kempter. His younger brother, Mathieu, is Kempter’s teammate. Mathieu, however, can no longer play for the country because has been capped already by Canada.

“He wants to see personally how they play,” Gonzalez added.

Gonzalez is optimistic that the elder Choiniere will be available for the country once the Asian Cup qualifiers begin in March next year, along with the Markanich Brothers, Josef Baccay, Cole Mrowka and other high-profile prospects.

“So by March, we will see a whole different team. We’re scheduling the Markanich brothers to come home soon and finish their paperworks,” Gonzales said.

Speaking of another issue that fans are hoping to be addressed soon, someone told The Designated Kit Man that he is hoping the men’s national football team will get a new moniker soon. He even made a suggestion that the team formerly known as the Azkals should be called Fighting Filipinos moving forward. He reasoned out that lately, the team has been fighting so many concerns and problems on and off the pitch and yet remains steadfast and determined to turn around for the better. Just like what the ordinary Filipinos have to battle through everyday because of disasters, whether natural or manmade and the national tragedy that is Philippine politics

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