THE Philippine Azkals coach Scott Cooper expressed confidence that the team can fill up the void left by veteran goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who is expected to miss next month’s FIFA World Cup/Asian Cup qualifiers due to an injury.
Etheridge had ruled himself out of the two Group A matches against Syria and Guam after hurting his hamstring while playing for Cardiff City in its Championship season-opening match against Wigan over the weekend.
Cooper said that Fil-Danish Michael Falkesgaard and homegrown Patrick Deyto are up for the task protecting both sticks for the Azkals in the first window of the qualifiers.
“But one thing we are blessed with here is we have serious depth in goalkeeping talent,” Cooper said during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association at Amelie Hotel in Manila.
Falkesgaard is currently playing for Bangkok United while Deyto was recently signed by Thai side Suphanburi following a short spell with Stallion-Laguna in the Philippines Football League.
“Michael’s one of the best keepers with his feet and we got Patrick Deyto who I believe has a massive future,” said Cooper.
They are part of a 39-man squad list led by Stephan Schrock and brothers Phil and James Younghusband.
The Azkals must finished first or become the best second-placed team in the group to secure qualification to the 2023 Asian Cup and the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Also part of the group are China and Maldives, which Cooper expressed satisfaction compared to having to face teams they have faced before.
“I actually don’t want to face a Southeast Asian team because I think we know too much about each other and it can be a very tricky situation,” said Cooper, referring to Group G where Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are playing.
“On paper, that’s not so bad because we’ve each other, but I think that’s a nightmare. I don’t want to be in that situation,” he added. (JONAS TERRADO)