The country’s Under-20 team finally notched a win in the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Thailand. The Philippines won, 4-0 against Brunei Darussalam. Before the win, the Philippines had already been eliminated in the tournament. The campaign ended when the Pinoy squad lost, 5-0, to Thailand in their first game. The lads went down to another loss, a 2-0 defeat to Iraq, before ending the tournament with the victory against Brunei in Group H.
For a football team in dire need of a win and positive vibes, the victory against Vietnam is most welcome. It also ended a winless spell for the team.
Moving forward, the Philippine Football Federation released the lineup that will compete in the King’s Cup in Songkhla, Thailand from October 11 to 14, 2024.
The squad will include goalkeepers Patrick Deyto, Kevin Mendoza, Quincy Kammeraad; defendenders Amani Aguinaldo, Joshua Grommen, Michael Kempter, Jesper Nylholm, Christian Rontini, Santino Rublico, Paul and Jeff Tabinas; midfielders Zico Bailey, Kevin Ingreso, Manny Ott, Patrick Reichelt, Sandro Reyes, Patrick Reichelt, John-Partrick Strauss and Scott Woods. They will be joined by forwards Dylan Demuynck, Alex Monis, Gerrit Holtmann, Bjorn Kristensen and Sebastian Rasmussen.
On paper, the team is probably one of the strongest ever assembled. It is a mix of several veterans, promising young ones and comebacking players, who, for one reason or another, have been away (or have stayed away?) from the national team for quite some time.
It will also mark the first time in a very long time that former team captain Neil Etheridge will not be a part of the national team. Etheridge only played the first game in the Merdeka Cup before Mendoza took over in the battle for third. The PFF said Etheridge left the team for personal reasons. There is probably more to this than what “personal reasons” mean. I was just hoping that things could have been handled better knowing what Etheridge brought and contributed to the team for the longest time. Just the same, I wish Neil all the best as he mans the sticks now for Buriram United FC in Thailand’s top league.
It is interesting to note that several players will be back on the team after being absent in several campaigns. Holtmann, Grommen, Strauss, Kempter and Rasmussen are the notable players in the squad list.
But I will keep my fingers crossed until I see these players in Thailand lacing up their boots, especially when it comes to Holtmann. If he finally shows up – good. If not, what else is new?
Ilang beses na tayong nakuryente sa mga announcement pero hindi naman nagpapakita, akala ko talaga taga Meralco na siya.
The King’s Cup will also serve as the initial test for newly appointed head coach Albert Capellas. The Spaniard, who took over from Tom Saintfiet, will surely have his hands full as he makes his debut in the King’s Cup.
Incidentally, Jing Jamlang sent me an invitation to cover the press conference of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) on the upcoming King’s Cup and the participation of the Filipinas, the Philippine National Women’s Football Team, to the Pink Ladies Cup in Turkey later this month. PFF president John Gutierrez, Capellas, Filipinas’ head coach Mark Torcaso, and Director of Senior National Teams Freddy Gonzalez will be present during today’s event. It will be very interesting to know what they will say in the presser.
The filing of certificates of candidacy for the midterm elections next year has started. The Designated Kit Man is hoping that a party-list, which will really represent and champion our national athletes, past and present, will step forward to do so. It’s about time that real representation will be made by those who really care for the Atletang Pinoy. We should get rid of those who are only after the perks and the power that goes with being a “lawmaker” but have done nothing to prove they are worthy of the vote.
‘Wag na po tayo pabudol, please lang po.
If you have nothing to do this Sunday, October 6, please come to McKinley Hill Stadium and watch the Philippine Azkals play against noted celebrities in a 7 a-side exhibition games. Aside from rallying support and interest to the seven a-side soccer version, the tuneup games will also serve as a send-off to the Azkals who will compete in the Asia 7s Championship set to unfold in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from October 10 to `3. The tuneup games will start at 4 p.m.
On a personal note, I was really happy that the San Beda University Band finally showed up to support the Red Lions in the men’s basketball tournament in Season 100 of the NCAA.
The band, after missing several games, brought the extra energy as the Red Lions roared past perennial and bitter rival Letran College, 66-64, courtesy of rookie Bryan Sajonia’s triple less than a minute left in the ball game last Tuesday.
The big win somehow made up for the stinging losses that the Red Lions suffered against the Emilio Aguinaldo General and the Arellano Chiefs in previous games. It also enabled the Red Lions to improve to a 4-3 slate in the standings.
Hopefully, whatever the issues or reasons why the band was absent in the Red Lions’ previous outings are already resolved. We can’t have the team distracted by issues that could have been handled internally as the Lions defend the title in this historic season. This should be the priority of the whole Bedan community, to support and rally behind the Red Lions in repeating as champions. Other issues should stay in Mendiola.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
