EXPECT Zico Bailey, a talented right-back, to return to the Philippine national men’s football team in its coming games in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024.
The 24-year old Bailey’s club team, New Mexico United, lost to Las Vegas United, 0-1, in the Western Conference semifinals of the United States Football League (USL) over the weekend.
This will make the 5’7” Bailey available for the Philippine squad when they compete in the ASEAN tournament this December.
National training director Freddie Gonzalez said coach Albert Capellas is seeking the availability of Bailey, who has played four times during the time of Tom Saintfiet as national mentor.
“There are a few players from the last window who will not make it. The likelihood of Zico not making it in this window is if they don’t win (in the USL),” said Gonzalez.
Capellas is bringing back most of the players that played in the recent King’s Cup in Thailand in the tournament, formerly known as the AFF Suzuki Cup.
When Bailey joined last March, he was included in the 28-man national squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
This included games with Vietnam and Indonesia.
Also part of the current squad are goalies, Kevin Ray Mendoza, Quincy Kameraad and Partrick Deyto.
The others are Audie Menzi, Paul and Jefferson Tabinas.
