Azkals to see action in Taiwan pocket tourney
PART of its thrust to cultivate its roster and further improve its game for battles ahead, the Philippine national men’s football team is set to see action in a pocket tournament in Chinese Taipei beginning this weekend with local collegiate stars also receiving call- ups to team up with veteran national players.
Happening from Dec. 1 to 5 at the Municipal Stadium in Taipei, the Chinese Taipei Football Association International Tournament will see four nations, including the Philippines, competing.
Other nations part of the tier 1, “A” tournament are the host country, Laos and Timor Liste.
In the lead- up to the International Tournament, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) released the names of players that will see action in Taiwan.
The list features a combination of collegiate players and veteran national players whose teams are not playing in the semifinals of the Philippines Football League, which incidentally kicks off also this weekend.
Part of the team are Nathanael Alquiros ( Stallion Laguna FC), Fitch Arboleda ( Stallion Laguna FC), Junell Bautista ( Davao Aguilas FC), Jaime Cheng (Davao Aguilas FC), Justin Cheng (Davao Aguilas FC), Julian Clariño ( University of the Philippines), Reymart Cubon ( Davao Aguilas FC), Dylan De Bruycker ( Davao Aguilas FC), Ruben Doctoro, Jr. ( Stallion Laguna FC), Javier Gayoso ( Ateneo de Manila University) and Angel Guirado ( Davao Aguilas FC).
Also called up were James Hall ( Davao Aguilas FC), Ray Joyel ( Far Eastern University), Christian Lapas ( University of the Philippines), Kintaro Miyagi ( University of the Philippines), Nick O’Donnell ( Davao Aguilas FC), Mike Ott ( Angthong FC), Simone Rota (Davao Aguilas FC), Yannick Tuason (Stallion Laguna FC), Adam Tull (Kaya FC Makati), Reynald Villareal (Stallion Laguna FC), James and Phil Younghusband (Davao Aguilas FC).
Serving as coach of the team is Marlon Maro, assisted by Randolfo Clarino, Marlon Piñero, Ronoel Garfin and Ramoncito Lalas. Team manager is Jefferson Cheng.
The PFF said the decision to compete in the Taiwan tournament is to expose young players to more international tournaments in preparation for their eventual call-ups in the future as well as to foster intercountry goodwill through football.
The Philippines will face Laos first on opening day then the hosts on Dec. 3 before finishing its assignments against Timor Liste on Dec. 5.
The Philippine Azkals last saw action at the AFC Asian Cup, facing Nepal in Kathmandu in a key Group F qualification game that finished in a goalless draw.
With the draw, the Philippines, sporting a record of two wins and three draws with nine points, is still on top of its grouping but for good measure has to win in its final game against Tajikistan to advance to the main competition of the Asian Cup in 2019.
Currently the Philippines is at 118 in the world rankings, top in the Southeast Asian region and 21st in Asia. —