Azkals ace keeper skips Suzuki Cup

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Ace goalkeeper Neil Etheridge yesterday begged off from backstopping the Philippines’ campaign in next week’s AFF Suzuki Cup, jeopardizing the Azkals’ bid to duplicate their stirring semifinal finish two years ago.

Etheridge, the Bristol Rovers’ on-loan keeper, has opted to stay behind and help the club improve on their League Two standing, according to the Bristol Post – a development that came as a shocker for the Azkals, who are in the final stretch of their Suzuki Cup buildup here.

With keeper Ed Sacapaño manning the ramparts, the Azkals, behind Marwin Angeles’ 54th minute connection, drubbed three-time Asean champ Singapore, 1-0, last night at a packed Cebu Sports Complex.

“Neil has decided he won’t be going to the tournament (Suzuki Cup),” Rovers boss Mark McGhee was quoted by the Bristol Post.

McGhee said the Rovers were prepared to go with Sam Walker in case the Fil-British choose the Azkals, but nonetheless welcomed Etheridge’s continued stay.

“Neil is a man in form at the moment, though, so we’re pleased we’ll have him around. He did make a catastrophic error that led to a goal on Saturday, but that was one of those things that will probably only happen once in his career. He went on to make some great saves after that and has done really well for us since arriving from Fulham,” said McGhee.

The Phl team said it has yet to receive a formal communication from Etheridge or Bristol at presstime.

The Azkals, who played the Singapore Lions at the Cebu Sports Complex here last night, have been hoping that Etheridge and second choice keeper Roland Muller could come over for the Nov. 24-30 Suzuki Cup Group A action in Bangkok.

Fil-German Muller of MSV Duisburg hasn’t been released to the national team yet, leaving the Azkals with local-based keepers Ed Sacapano and Ref Cuaresma.

The Azkals have named a provisional roster of 35 players, including the doubtful participants such as the Europe-based goalies and midfielder Stephan Schrock, but per league rules would have to trim it to the Final 22 for the Group A elims against Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. 

“It’s one of the toughest decisions we have to make. Everybody deserves to be in the (final) team but rules allow only 22 so you really have to make a wise, painful decision,” said team manager Dan Palami, whose team has to make the shortlist during the managers’ meeting prior to the first day of action. 

The dilemma is particularly hard on the goalkeeping position.

“We bring in like Ed (Sacapano), but then again, if Neil and Muller are not sure, we have to come up with a back-up player. That’s already four slots in the 22 that you give to the keeper and you actually should have two. So that’s already two field players that have to be left out,” Palami said.

The case of Schrock presents as much. Schrock was not released for the group stages but he might be available should the Azkals make it to the two-leg semis slated Dec. 8 or 9 and Dec. 12 or 13, depending on the team’s positioning.

“If we’re able to reach the semis, then somebody will be available already. So do we bring him in? Do we put a wildcard there, just in case we reach the semis?” Palami said.