By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals will again be deprived of the best possible talent for the AFC Challenge Cup next month in Nepal.
Filipino-Danish Jerry Lucena and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge have been ruled out of the March 9 to 13 event, while Stephan Schrock is doubtful because of club commitments.
But Azkals manager Dan Palami said there is a big possibility that Fil-Dutch playmaker Paul Mulders and Fil-Danish leftback Dennis Cagara could be available for the matches.
Palami also said that the injury to Chieffy Caligdong was not serious as everyone had feared and the influential winger could be back in action before the Challenge Cup.
Mulders will miss the training camp in Dubai starting next week, but will be released by Dutch club ADO Den Haag for the Challenge Cup, Palami said.
Cagara, who impressed in the 4-0 win over Nepal last year, has signified his intention to reinforce the team in Nepal.
“Jerry’s club wrote to us saying he can’t be released because they are preparing for important matches,” said Palami.
Etheridge will be available for the Feb. 29 friendly against Malaysia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, but will be unavailable for the Challenge Cup because of his commitment to English club Fulham.
Filipino-German Roland Muller will be tapped in Etheridge’s absence.
Aly Borromeo, the captain and lead central defender, will also miss the Challenge Cup because of an ACL injury, leaving Rob Gier, Jason Sabio and Filipino-Spanish Juan Luis Guirado to man the backline.
inquirer.net
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Caligdong COULD be back? So he's still a doubt.... but still.... booooo!!!
ReplyDeletewith this start looking for the locals and train them while waiting for the confirmation of the foreign base players.
ReplyDeleteforget about caligdong. it would be a blessing if hes not in the line up. the only reason why hes still in the starting line up and wearing the CAPTAINS ARMBAND is bacause of internal politics.
ReplyDeletei would like to see mulders in his place so he can show them how a left wing is supposed to play.
my only worry is the goalkeeping position. bahala na yung mga replacement na lokals. panalo, matalo, kelangan nila ng experience.
ReplyDeletesi chieffy dapat striker na lang.
players who are available for the AFC tournament should be the ones chosen to play in all practice games and friendlies to solve the problem of cohesion. forget about the players who have club commitments/ injuries. Bring in the team those available and healthy
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree . Dont bring Etheridge , Schrock and Cagara and others to Malaysia friendly if they cant play in AFC Challenge Cup
ReplyDelete