Fil-German keeps faith, hope of Phl side

By Olmin Leyba

MALE – Two penalty saves in two big games and Roland Muller has clearly shown who’s the boss in between the sticks.

“We maybe have the best keeper in the tournament,” said Azkals coach Thomas Dooley, referring to his star custodian who played a key role in their 3-2 verdict over Maldives in the semis of the AFC Challenge Cup and an earlier 2-0 victory over Turkmenistan in group play.

“You can see he has some great saves, got another penalty today. And I’m not actually afraid of a penalty shot because of the goal keeper. He is a real football player, great timing, so I’m very pleased with him,” he added.

Muller actually didn’t play in the opening game against Afghanistan, a 0-0 stalemate, as first choice keeper Neil Etheridge took the job.

“I respect the coaches’ decision and I knew my time would come. And I’m always ready when the team needs me,” said the Fil-German.

Muller got to take the place of injured Etheridge and didn’t disappoint. His back-to-back penalty saves make a new high for the keeper who traces his roots from Mindoro.

“It’s really luck but it makes me happy I saved two penalties. Yeah, I decided to go one corner based on gut feel and luck was on my side,” he said.

Dooley had said once that Muller won the game for the Azkals but the keeper declined to take credit.

“It contributed to the victory but it’s a team effort,” he said.

philstar

Azkals goalkeeper Roland Müller signs for Swiss club

Azkals GK Roland Müller has signed for Swiss club Servette Fc


http://www.servettefc.ch/fr/actualite/article-5231.html

Muller has edge over Etheridge in competition for starting 'keeper's spot, says Weiss

By Karlo Sacamos




IF the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup Group E Qualifiers were to start now, Philippine men’s football team coach Michael Weiss would choose Roland Muller over Neil Etheridge as the Azkals’ starting goalkeeper.


Speaking during a press conference at the Philippine Football Federation office, the German mentor reiterated on Thursday that both goal-minders as well as the rest of the Azkals’ overseas-based standouts will be available for the qualifiers from March 22 to 26, which are all Fifa international dates.


And Weiss said he will be picking his compatriot Muller over the Filipino-British stalwart Etheridge for having more exposure in the past months.


Weiss said that since last November, the Filipino-German Muller, who turned 25 on March 2, has suited up for his professional team, MSV Duisburg, and helped the cellar-dwelling second-tier German club avoid relegation by holding several clean sheets.


Muller last played for the Azkals against Bahrain in a friendly that ended in a scoreless draw last October during their Middle-East training camp.

"So this is our situation right now. Final decision has not been made. From a match competitive point of view, Roland is in the driver’s seat, but we have to see how they will show themselves in training,” Weiss said.

“We have to take all relevant factors into consideration. Obviously, Neil has a longer history and has played most of the time, so I think there’s no question on his determination, passion, and performance on the pitch,” Weiss said of the Fulham substitute, who kept a clean sheet in the Azkals’ 1-0 friendly win against Myanmar last month.

Azkals’ goalkeeping coach Pascal Zuberbuhler said it will be hard to pick who the first-choice ‘keeper will be among Etheridge, Muller, and Ed Sacapaño.

“We have three beautiful goalkeepers,” said the Swiss coach, who played in the 2006 World Cup for Switzerland and kept a clean sheet in the group stage.

spin.ph

Roland Müller not GK against LA Galaxy

Manny Ott Twitter : Talked with Roland today ... he will not come... very sad but we will see him next time=) get the answer of my club if i can go tmrw morning

Fil-German goalkeeper joins Azkals training

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-German goalkeeper Roland Mueller started training with the Philippine Azkals on Tuesday as the team began preparations for the upcoming Long Teng Cup.

ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo reported on her Twitter account that it is Mueller’s first time in the Philippines. Mueller, the second choice goalkeeper of German second division squad Duisburg, is one of the two Fil-German recruits who will beef up the Philippine football squad.

The other Fil-German is striker Kevin Ingreso, who will join the national team next year after getting clearance from his club Hamburg.

Castillejo, meanwhile, said that the Azkals is still likely to keep Filipino-British player Neil Etheridge as its first goalkeeper.

“Making it clear, Neil is still the first keeper,” she said through Twitter.


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