ni Anthony Servinio / VA @Sports | March 17, 2024
Itinalagang team captain ng binuong Philippine men’s football team ng bagong coach na si Tom Saintfiet ang beteranong goalkeeper na si Neil Etheridge para sa nakatakda nilang pagsabak sa FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier kontra Iraq sa Marso 21 at 26.
Kasama ni Etheridge sa 28-man roster ang pitong players na sasalang sa unang pagkakataon bilang mga seniors na sina Theo Libarnes ng Far Eastern University ang magkapatid na Matthew Baldisimo ng York United at Michael Baldisimo ng San Jose Earthquakes, Jeremiah Borlongan, at Chima Uzoka ng Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, Mark Swainston ng Kaya FC-Iloilo at Andres Aldeguer ng Central Connecticut University.
“We have a well-balanced group,” ani Saintfiet. “We have a good team to face Iraq, but we need to play professionally and try to steal some points.”
Kakalabanin ng PMNT ang Iraq team na galing sa panalo sa unang dalawa nilang laro kontra Indonesia, 5-1, at Iran, 1-0, noong nakaraang November window.
“We have a balanced team to face a strong opponent. We are both experienced and young in the mix. It’s important we look at players who can do the job and who we think could be ready for this task in every position,” dagdag pa ni Saintfiet.
Ang iba pang miyembro ng team ay sina goalkeepers Patrick Deyto at Kevin Ray Hansen; defenders Amani Aguinaldo, Pocholo Bugas, Marco Casambre, Jesse Curren, Simen Lyngbo, Jesper Nyholm, Christian Rontini, Daisuke Sato, Jefferson Tabinas at Paul Tabinas; midfielders Justin Baas, Kevin Ingreso, Oskari Kekkonen, Mike Ott, OJ Porteria, at Santiago Rublico at forwards Jarvey Gayoso at Patrick Reichelt.