THE Philippine national men’s football team’s preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 and the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 get under way today as it plays Bahrain in a friendly at the latter’s home turf.
To take place at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa, the Philippine Azkals come together anew for a series of matches as part of their training in the lead-up to their campaigns in the Suzuki Cup and Asian Cup.
The Bahrain friendly marks the first time that the Azkals will be playing under new head coach Scott Cooper of England, who was thrust to the position after compatriot Terry Butcher resigned from his post as coach last month even before he got to meet the team.
Mr. Butcher was named a replacement for longtime Azkals coach Thomas Dooley of the United States, who helped the Philippine team qualify for the Asian Cup.
In connection with the Bahrain friendly, the Philippine Football Federation called up the services of national team players, most of whom coming from the Philippines Football League.
Said players started to leave for the friendly earlier this week.
Making up the pool of players are goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, Amani Aguinaldo, Carlos De Murga, Junior Munoz, Daisuke Sato, Hikaru Minegishi, Paul Mulders, Manny Ott, Mike Ott, Patrick Reichelt, Adam Tull and Dylan De Bruycker.
Also part of the team are Stephan Schrock, Luke Woodland, Curt Dizon, Angel Guirado, Phil Younghusband, Patrick Deyto, Louie Casas, Ace Villanueva, Stephen Palla, Fitch Arboleda and Jovin Bedic.
The AFF Suzuki Cup happens in November while the AFC Asian Cup takes place in January. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
