16 March 2015

Etheridge back for Azkals in Bahrain ‘friendly’


By Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Azkals, bracing for another important tournament, return to action on March 30 when they face Middle East powerhouse Bahrain in an international friendly in Manama.
The match caps the weeklong training camp of the national side as its kicks off preparations for the World Cup Qualifying in June.
Attending the press launch of the Azkals’ mobile service promo, national coach Thomas Dooley has recalled goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after a long absence, while Roland Muller is also expected to return after missing the Suzuki Cup last year due to club commitments.
The mobile service allows fans to get behind-the-scenes content while raising funds for the team, Azkals manager Dan Palami said.
Dooley said he is bringing 23 players to the Bahrain camp, including Jerry Lucena and skipper Rob Gier. Having secured his PH passport, Fil-Spanish defender Alvaro Silva is also joining the trip.
Palami is hopeful that new prospects like Australia-based Iain Ramsay can also make it to Bahrain. Austria-born Stephen Palla and Luke Woodland, who plays for Bolton Wanderers in England, have also expressed interest in joining the squad.
But Dooley has ruled out Mike Ott and striker Javier Patino due to overseas club commitments.


Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/175954/etheridge-back-for-azkals-in-bahrain-friendly#ixzz3UYkAoE4o
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9 comments:

  1. Anonymous16 March 2015 at 21:28

    How is Patino not available? Henan has a fixture on March 22 and after that April 3. I don't see any problems there.

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  2. jonny16 March 2015 at 22:19

    You are right. Patino withdrawing as usual...

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  3. Anonymous17 March 2015 at 05:01

    Im starting to question javier patino willingness to play for azkals. If you dont want to play, just say it in advance!

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  4. Anonymous17 March 2015 at 05:53

    I hope Roland Muller will join all azkals tournament coz we need smart and consistent keeper. Etheridge and Deyte is in same level very slow

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  5. jonny17 March 2015 at 07:48

    "Azkals update: Javier Patino has been called up for Bahrain camp, but club Chinese side Henan Jianye has initially refused to release him."

    ReplyDelete
  6. jonny17 March 2015 at 07:49

    "PFF said it will pursue Patino's release based on Fifa regulations compelling clubs to release players to nat'l teams during Fifa dates"
    PFF gsec Ed Gastanes has informed Chinese Football Assn of Patino's case. Patino told Dooley last yr he still wants to play for Azkals

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  7. Anonymous17 March 2015 at 13:46

    Patino was very eager to join the NT before and even traveled to PH 2x to get his passport. Then he played 2x on 2013 and that's for the 2014 Challenge Cup qualification on Mar 24 & 26 of 2013. He scored a brace on his debut against Cambodia.

    Less than 2 weeks later, he joined Buriram and played on Apr 6, 2013 where he scored again a brace on this debut against Songkhla United.

    Only a year later when he was able to join the NT again for a friendly with Azerbaijan and even tweeting that he was tired with club commitments but it's OK coz he will join his brothers again (NT).

    Then that was the last time we saw him in Azkals jersey... and the reasons are usually injured or not-released by club.

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  8. Anonymous17 March 2015 at 13:56

    ^^ I also remember that the Thailand move is to get him closer to Philippines.

    And now he moved to China.

    We needed him badly for 2015 Asian Cup qualification but to no avail.

    Now we needed him again for World Cup qualification but here we go again...

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  9. Anonymous17 March 2015 at 14:42

    When patiño was in buriram
    35 goals in 53 games
    His quality might be greater than phil younghusband but too bad we can't see it because his clubs refuse to release him

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