The much-anticipated stint of several high-profile Filipino soccer stars playing abroad with the national men’s football team will have to wait for a few more months. If things work out according to the plan, Freddy Gonzalez says we can expect a new look for the team by March next year, or just in time as the Philippines launches its bid for the Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Gonzalez, Director of National Senior Teams of the Philippine Football Federation, says the likes of Nick and Anthony Markanich, Josef Baccay, Cole Mrowka, Randy Schneider and more may not be able to suit up for the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, but they have a better chance to play for the country in the Asian Cup Qualifiers.
“They won’t be able to make it to the Mitsubishi Cup because of the registration requirements of the AFF now. If the registration had taken place toward the end of November, then we would have a lot more like Josef Baccay,” Gonzalez said.
The deadline was set last Sunday, November 10, for the PFF to submit names and passports for the tournament.
Gonzalez also confirmed that Gerrit Holtmann, Santi Rublico, Dylan Demuunck and Michael Kempter will only be available until the semifinals, if the team manages to advance past the group stage. Gonzalez, however, is optimistic that Michael Baldisimo, Zico Bailey, Bjorn Kristensen, Paul Tabinas and even Sandro Reyes will be available before the country’s first game in the tournament on December 12.
He is also hopeful that the Markanich brothers as well as Mrowka, Jacob Erlandson, Elias Katsaros, Schneider and Baccay will be in the country soon to address the requirements or paperworks needed by the Department of Justice for them to get their Philippine passports.
“We go one player at a time. Randy Schneider’s mom is still a Filipina, so it is going to be easy. And so is Cole Mrowka. Once the Markanich brothers end their playoff runs, we will then schedule for a time that they can come here. Hopefully, we can do that before Nick goes and plays in Spain for his new team,” Gonzalez explained.
He also gave an update on another much sought-after player that could make an instant impact to the team – Raphael Obermair. Gonzalez said that the Paderborn 07 winger in 2. Bundesliga has expressed interest in playing for the national team, but in March. Gonzalez said talks are ongoing with Obermair, who is bent on helping his club get promoted in the first division as of the moment. Gonzalez also said that Obermair is now more receptive donning the three stars and the sun compared to their initial talks earlier this year.
Gonzalez also said they are still pursuing other players such as Patrick Metcalf, the Wolf Brothers, Johannes Selven, Phoenix Patterson, Yoichi Naganuma, Asahi Masayuma, Yuta Goke, Julius Myrbakk, Andrei Leipold, Luca De Meester, Ismail Al Zaabi and Nathan Grimaldi, to mention a few. He also said more players have also expressed their intent to play for the team. The only thing needed as of now is to ensure that they will fully commit once their respective seasons are finished.
Gonzalez also revealed that they are planning to hold a national training camp on December 2 as part of the preparations for the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup. He said the call-up list will probably be released in the last week of November or before the camp starts. He said that our chances in the tournament remain good despite the hiccup against Hong Kong recently.
“These guys have already been with each other for a few windows already. They have started to know each other well. At the end of the day with Coach Albert, he is not going to bring in any new players unless they are better than what we currently have. If it’s going to be the same level, same quality, he is just going to stick to the same player we have right now for familiarity,” Gonzalez added.
Meanwhile, defending NCAA champion, the San Beda Red Lions will take on the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the final four tomorrow, 2.30 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome. A win against the Blazers will be very crucial to my beloved Red Lions not only to arrest a three-game slide but to extend their season for another game. We need to beat the Blazers twice to reach the finals, which is not a strange territory for San Beda. We were here in the same situation last season. The Red Lions need to play their best basketball tomorrow and keep their focus the whole game long. They should forget what happened in the eliminations because it doesn’t matter now.
The Red Lions’ campaign this season 100 of the NCAA has been marked by inconsistencies to say the least but then there is still time to right the ship and show why we are the current Kings of NCAA basketball for a reason.
Go San Beda Fight!
On a personal note, special shoutout to foodie, vintage pens and map collector, Boss, friend and harbinger of good vibes and positivity, Miko David of David & Golyat, for his forthcoming birthday on Friday, November 29. Cheers to good health and peace of mind, Miko!
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
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