Azkals bare Etheridge-less Final 22

MANILA, Philippines -- A day before the Phil. Azkals open their 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, the Phil. Football Federation bared their Neil Etheridge-less Final 22.

The Azkals submitted their official lineup for the group stages during today's manager's meeting.

Without Etheridge, who was previously released by Bristol Rovers but was recalled by his English Premier side Fullham, the Azkals will hinge their hopes on Peace Cup best goal keeper Ed Sacapano

The Phil. Army's homegrown keeper boosted his confidence heading into the tournament with a sensational game in the Azkals' 1-0 win over Singapore Lions last Nov. 15.

Sacapano will have Loyola Meralco Sparks' keeper Ref Cuaresma as back-up while the Azkals are still hoping for the release of Roland Muller from his German club MSV Duiberg.

AFC Challenge Cup golden booter Phil Younghusband and Peace Cup golden booter Denis Wolf will head their offensive attack with Juani Guirado, Ray Jonsson, Rob Gier, Carlie de Murga, Dennis Cagara, Jason Sabio and Jeffrey Christiaens anchoring the defense.

Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss will have plenty of options on the midfield with James Younghusband, skipper Chieffy Caligdong, Paul Mulders, Demitrius Omphroy, Jason de Jong, the returning Angel Guirado, Patrick Reichelt, veteran Chris Greatwich, Marwin Angeles and Jerry Lucena, whom the German coach said is the most important player in the position.

"If (Jerry) Lucena will be there, the midfield will already be solid. With all the respect to all the players that play the position, Lucena is the most important player," Weiss told Philstar.com before they departed for Bangkok.

"They always talk about (Stephan) Shrock but this position has always been the 'Achilles Heel' of the team. The midfielder gives the centerback some confidence," Weiss added.

Shrock, however, might be available on December should the Azkals advance to the next round.

The Azkals will play host Thailand tomorrow then Vietnam on Nov. 27 and will cap off the group stages against Myanmar on Nov. 30. All matches will be televised live by Sports5 over AKTV on IBC.