21 locals get call for Azkals duel vs Nepal

MANILA, Philippines - Azkals coach Thomas Dooley has called up 21 mostly local-based players to carry the country’s colors when they play Nepal in an international friendly in Doha, Qatar on Oct. 31.

Phil and James Younghusband and Anton del Rosario of Loyola Meralco Sparks, Juani Guirado and Paul Mulders of Ceres La Salle and Chris Greatwich of Kaya in the United Football League will provide the experience to the squad seeking to repeat its mastery over Nepal.

Last April, in a similar friendly in Doha, the Azkals whipped the Nepalese, 3-0.

Mark Hartmann, who fired four goals in a 5-0 rout of Papua New Guinea two weeks ago, is back in Phl uniform with Global teammates Amani Aguinaldo, Misagh Bahadoran, Daisuke Sato and Patrick Deyto.

Ceres boys Jeff Cristiaens, Manny Ott, and Patrick Reichelt, Loyola Meralco’s Simon Greatwich, Kaya’s Kenshiro Daniels, Stallion’s Simone Rota, and debuting Fil-Spanish keeper Tomas Trigo of Team Soccerro are also in the roster.

Fil-Swiss Martin Steuble of Sporting Kansas, one of the goal scorers in the previous friendly against Nepal, and veteran Jerry Lucena of Esbjerg, are the only overseas-based stalwarts joining the team.

Skipper Rob Gier has excused himself from the Nepal game due to family commitment but promised to be back against Thailand on Nov. 10. Jason de Jong has “retired” from the national team after 49 caps over six years, wishing to spend more time with his family.

Aside from Nepal, the Azkals will face Al Ahli club on Nov. 2 during their mini camp in Doha as they continue their buildup for the AFF Suzuki Cup.