Etheridge released, but unsure to play

MANILA, Philippines - Azkals keeper Neil Etheridge has been cleared by Bristol Rovers to join the Pinoy booters in this week’s AFF Suzuki Cup, but his availability remains uncertain as his mother club, Fulham FC, is not keen to let him go. 

Rovers manager Mark McGhee yesterday announced that they are releasing the Fil-British ace, who’s been on loan from Fulham, giving the Azkals hope to get a topnotch player to man the post in the Nov. 24-30 group stages in Thailand. 

However, while Etheridge got clearance from Bristol, Fulham has hinted it wants the 22-year-old custodian back into their lineup for this weekend.

Azkals manager Dan Palami, however, remains hopeful Etheridge will get the go-signal to hook it up with the Azkals while working to get the okay for Fil-German Roland Muller. 

News of Etheridge’s release by Bristol came out Tuesday night after their 0-4 setback to Port Vale.

“The manager (McGhee) has also revealed that Neil Etheridge will miss at least the next two games as he travels out to join with the Philippine squad tomorrow (Wednesday),” the Rovers’ reported in its official website yesterday.

With the Fil-British star and Muller still doubtful, the Azkals may turn to alternate Ed Sacapano, who made a good account of himself in Phl’s 1-0 win over Singapore last Nov. 15 in Cebu. Ref Cuaresma is also in the pool training in Bangkok now.

The Azkals will face host Thailand at the start of Group A action on Saturday, then Vietnam on Tuesday and Myanmar next Saturday, hoping to secure precious points to make it to the two-legged semis again.

Meanwhile, minor repairs will be made at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium which will serve as the Azkals’ home venue should they reach the semis. The Asean Football Federation, through general secretary Dato Sri Paul Mony Samuel, announced that the Rizal is good for home game subject to “remedial work on the field of play.”

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia has already ordered the immediate repairs, estimated at about P450,000, to be completed in time for the semis set Dec. 8.

“I already made a memo to start right away. Maybe they will start tomorrow (today),” Garcia told The STAR.

The AFF said Rizal’s improved 1200 lux floodlights have “sufficient quality for broadcast” but noted a “slight unevenness” to the pitch that need “remedial work.”

Targeted in 17-18 working days, work will include manual removal of all weeds on the entire field; replacement of 4mm sand on pitches and divots and re-leveling of these areas to existing grade; intensive granular (2x) and foliar fertilization (2x); mechanical rolling and leveling of the entire field; regular mowing of entire field to desired tournament height-of-cut; and post-tournament cleanup of football field.