Etheridge, Mulders cleared to play for Azkals in AFC

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals’ upcoming campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal got a big boost as first-choice keeper, Fil-British Neil Etheridge and Fil-Dutch midfielder Paul Mulders have secured clearance from their respective clubs to play for Phl XI.

Etheridge has convinced his English Premier League club Fulham FC to release him for the AFC Challenge Cup that begins March 8, as did Mulders, who was cleared by Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands to go to Kathmandu.

“I can confirm you that he is coming to Nepal,” Azkals coach Michael Weiss said in a report posted on GoalNepal.com yesterday, referring to Etheridge who had earlier expressed willingness to man the goal for the Azkals but that his participation depended on Fulham’s blessings.

For his part, Mulders is set to rejoin the Azkals after missing majority of their activity this year.

“See you all at the AFC Challenge Cup,” Mulders wrote on his official Facebook page.

Another European-based Azkal, Fil-Danish left back Dennis Cagara of FSV Frankfurt, is also likely to hook up with the team this week, in time for their debut against North Korea on Friday.

“He (Cagara) sees this as a once in a lifetime opportunity and he wants to come,” said Weiss.

Meanwhile, two starters who sat out the Azkals-Malaysia friendly last week and the preceding Middle East training camp due to injury – left winger Chieffy Caligdong (knee) and defender Rob Gier (calf) – are expected to  see action.

“I’m positive Chieffy can play. He was already given the greenlight to play in the Malaysia friendly but I only refused, I didn’t want to risk it. Same with Gier,” said Weiss.

The Azkals were the first to arrive in high-altitude Kathmandu last Friday.

“We trained today and boys were looking sluggish due to altitude. I think we have made the right decision to come early,” Weiss said in the GoalNepal.com report. “We will acclimatize to this weather and it will help us to show our actual performance in the AFC Challenge Cup.”