Azkals tap 18-year-old Ott for Hong Kong friendly

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-German teener Mike Ott has been called up by the Philippine men’s football team for the first time to suit up for the Azkals’ international friendly against Hong Kong on June 4 at the Mong Kok Stadium in Hong Kong.

Ott, an 18-year-old mainstay of TSV 1860 Munchen, joins elder brother Manny and 16 other seasoned internationalists for his Azkals debut.

“He’s just 18, I’m not really expecting much right now as he’s only trying to get his experience in the National team. But I think he’ll do well,” said Manny Ott, who is returning to the team after missing its campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers last March. Most of the stalwarts of the side that topped the group qualifiers and advanced to the 2014 Challenge Cup main tourney are reuniting for the HK tiff. They are led by Stephan Schrock of Bundesliga 1 club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Schrock is expected to once more energize the plays of the Azkals, who are assembling a virtually full-strength squad.

Javier Patiño, Neil Etheridge, Paul Mulders, Rob Gier, Juani Guirado, Phil and James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Ed Sacapaño, Marwin Angeles, Chris Greatwich, OJ Porteria, Jason de Jong, Jeff Christiaens and Carli de Murga will link up with the Fil-German trio.

The Azkals are using the friendly as part of their buildup for next year’s Challenge Cup in Maldives, where they eye to at least duplicate their bronze medal in the 2012 edition.