Negrenses eager to play for home fans

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – If there’s anyone in the Azkals team who are doubly excited and eager to show up the visiting Mongolian side, it’s got to be the mainstays from this part of the archipelago known for its tremendous passion for the game.

Of the 23 men tapped for tonight’s AFC Challenge Cup match with Mongolia, eight hail from football hotbed Western Visayas – Reymark Palmes (Bacolod), Eduard Sacapano (Bago), and Ian Araneta, Yanti Barsales, Chieffy Caligdong, Roel Gener, Nestor Margarse, and Joebel Bermejo (Iloilo).

“Mas excited kami kasi hometown natin tapos dito ito lalaruin sa harap ng ating mga kababayan (We’re thrilled to play in our hometown and right in front of our provincemates),” said Sacapano, who plays back up goalkeeper to starter Neil Etheridge.

But the Negrense accepts the fact that he may not see action against Mongolia at all.

“Talagang mas mataas kasi ang level ni Neil (Etheridge) kaya okay lang sa akin (Neil is at a top level so it’s alright with me to be his backup),” said Sacapano, who manned the goal for the Azkals in two tune-up matches when the Fil-British keeper was still abroad.