![](https://www.tempo.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/maranon.jpg)
By JONAS TERRADO
Stephan Schrock and naturalized player Bienvenido Maranon headline the Philippine Azkals squad for the pandemic-delayed AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 which starts Dec. 5 in Singapore.
Schrock and Maranon will be joined by a mixture of national team veterans, youngsters from the U-23 squad and Azkals Development Team and overseas-based players as they aim to perform well despite the absence of notable names for Southeast Asia’s biggest competition.
![](https://www.tempo.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schrock-320x408.jpeg)
Also named to the roster are Azkals veterans Patrick Reichelt, Mike Ott, Martin Steuble, Angel Guirado, Amani Aguinaldo, Kevin Ingreso, Iain Ramsay, Daisuke Sato and Copa Paulino Alcantara champion Kaya-Iloilo’s Kenshiro Daniels.
Defender Jefferson Tabinas will also suit up after an impressive debut in the World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers last June along with goalkeepers Bernd Schipmann and Kevin Mendoza and defenders Justin Baas and Mar Diano.
Diano will also be accompanied by eight ADT teammates in U-23 players Oliver Bias, Dennis Chung, Oskari Kekkonen, Sandro Reyes, Christian Rontini and Quincy Kameraad and Matthew Custodio.
Completing the lineup are first-timers Jesper Nyholm, who is based in Sweden, Amin Nazari and Harry Foll.
The Azkals are seeking a fifth semifinal appearance since the miracle run in 2010, but will have their hands full in Group A which features Thailand, which won the tournament five times, host Singapore, Myanmar and Timor-Leste.
Coach Scott Cooper’s side won’t start its campaign until Dec. 8 when the Philippines takes on Singapore at cavernous National Stadium.
Next up is Timor-Leste on Dec. 11, Thailand on Dec. 14 and Myanmar on Dec. 18 at Bishan Stadium.