Phl greats, German stars clash in Legends

MANILA, Philippines - It’s going to be a “Senti Saturday” at the Rizal Memorial Stadium as football greats from the Philippines and Germany play in a special Legends match this afternoon.

Former world champions Guido Buchwald (1990), Dieter Eilts and Olaf Marschall 1998, and Dieter Burdenski (1978) banner the German All-Stars in the 2:30 p.m. match with Eckhard Krautzun, a former Phl team coach, calling the shots.

Norman Fegidero, goal-scorer of the Phl’s gigantic 1-0 upset of holder Malaysia in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games at Rizal, reunites with teammates Roroy Piñero, and Fillamer Rosell for the Philippine Selection. Aris Caslib and Marlon Maro will coach the home side.

The 2:30 p.m. match serves as part of a series of events organized in celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Philippines. It is a joint project of the Philippine Football Federation, the German Football Association (DFB) and the German embassy.

“We have first-class players coming over and this team is packed with international experience and former world class players” said Krautzun, who interestingly was Phl coach when Fegidero and company produced one of the greatest moments in the pre-Azkals era.

“We hope we can do our best performance tomorrow and play a good game together,” said the 53-year-old Buchwald during yesterday’s press conference also graced by DFB VP Hans-Georg Moldenhauer, PFF general-secretary Edwin Gastanes, PFF technical consultant Thomas Roy, and Phl Selection team manager Randy Roxas.

 “Seven of the former players of coach Eckhard have been invited to the team so I think it’s more of a reunion between coach and his players in 1991,” said Caslib. “We’re looking forward to a very good game. Our players served the Philippine team very well, they played a lot of international matches also.”

Rounding up the German All-Stars are Lars Unger, Michael Schulz, Jorg Heinrich, Marco Reich, Fredi Bobic, Ansgar Brinkmann, Martin Driller, Holger Wehlage, Gotz Dimanski, Detlev Ortlep, and Eric Von Euen.

Carrying the fight for Phl are Marjo Allado, Florante Altivo, Jesus Baron, John Carmona, Armand del Rosario, Rudy del Rosario, Jimmy Dimzon, Alfredo Dioso Jr., Domeka Garamendi, Ali Go, Jerimias Jiao, Richard Leyble, Jeffrey Liman, Noel Marcaida, Ernie Nierras, Marco Nieto, Alvin Ocampo, Dan Padernal, Jezuriel Tonog and Mark Villon.

“We hope there are many goals scored and it’s an open game so we can show the excellent skills of the players,” said Krautzun.

“Just like coach Eckhard said, we want a lot of goals and we want an equal share if we can,” said Caslib.

Admission to the All-Stars match is free.

A youth tournament at 9 a.m. featuring community/charity youth clubs at the 13-and-under and 9-and-under age groups will precede the Legends’ game.