My choices for the Azkals’ lineup to the 2012 Suzuki Cup
The 2012 Suzuki Cup is just a few weeks away. The pool of thirty-something players will be whittled down to 22 by next week. There is a possibility that the Dream Team lineup might not be there because the players who are based overseas might not be released. And if that does happen, then now it looks foolish to have not given some players an opportunity to play especially in those meaningless friendlies where they could have soaked up a lot of experience.
In my opinion (and yes, I have been following the national team closely since 2006), I think that not all the best players are listed in that pool. Nevertheless, I’d like to name my choices for the squad that will be carrying our colors in the biennial football tournament.
Assuming Neil Etheridge, Roland Muller, Angel Guirado and Stephan Schrock cannot make it (I also eliminated those who are injured), I would go with the following:
Goalkeepers:
Ed Sacapaño (Army)
Patrick Deyto (Green Archers United)
Manu Saubach (Pachanga)
Defenders
Juani Guirado (Global)
Paul Mulders (ADO Den Haag)
Ray Jonsson (Grindavik)
Carli de Murga (Global)
Jerry Barbaso (Global)
PJ Fadrigalan (Loyola)
Jason Sabio (Kaya)
Midfielders
Chieffy Caligdong (Air Force)
Misagh Bahadoran (Global)
Jeffrey Christiaens (Global)
Mark Hartmann (Loyola)
Anto Gonzales (Loyola)
Patrick Reichelt (Global)
Matthew Uy (Global)
James Younghusband (Loyola)
Arnie Pasinabo Jr. (Green Archers United)
Forwards
Phil Younghusband (Loyola)
Tating Pasilan (Green Archers United)
Ariel Zerrudo (Pachanga)
Deyto, Saubach, Fadrigalan, Barbaso, Hartmann, Pasinabo, Zerrudo and Pasilan have been overlooked. Yes, Hartmann is on the list but really? Has anyone else trumpeted his vastly improved game?
Deyto for months now has been promised this and that and all I can say is, “What a wasted opportunity?” He should have been given a chance. Saubach is a pleasant and new find. His size would help but still needs experience.
Fadrigalan and Barbaso are two of the best right backs in the game right now. Jerry was with the Azkals in 2010 and has been conveniently overlooked. Yet no one can still score on him in the UFL.
Hartmann’s ability to find teammates and his curling free kicks and corners will be an asset to this team. By far he is the best free kick taker in the land today.
Pasinabo, Zerrudo and Pasilan are national team vets (as well as Tiger Cup vets). They have improved with time and are even more lethal now. They should be given a chance. Really who do we have outside Phil Younghusband (and Freddy Gonzalez) who can score goals?
