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MANILA, Philippines – Spitfire midfielder Stephan Schrock of the Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and solid goalkeeper Neil Etheridge of the English Premier League side Fulham FC will lead the full-strength Azkals squad in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers in Rizal Memorial Stadium scheduled on March 22 to 26.
The two Azkals stalwarts expressed their commitment in the upcoming tournament after missing out in the 2012 Suzuki Cup due to club duties and will be raring to lift the national team on top of the group stages.
Schrock tweeted his excitement to play again in front of the millions of Filipino fans at home on February 28.
AFC challenge Cup- Check! Schröcky will be back in March! #morethanhappy Love to See the PINOYcrowed again #proud
— Stéphan schróck (@S17Stephan) February 28, 2013
Etheridge last featured for the national team in their win against Myanmar in a friendly on February 6. The Fulham reserve keeper kept a clean sheet in that game.
Schrock, on the other hand, last featured for the Philippines in their 2-0 victory against Singapore in a friendly in Jalan Besar Stadium in October 2012. The Fil-German dynamo of a midfielder was crucial in the game, assisting both goals from Chieffy Caligdong and Phil Younghusband.
Patino to debut for Azkals
Aside from the two, most of the foreign-based Azkals are also expected to link up with the squad. Most notable is the arrival of Javier Patino, prolific striker for Spanish second division club Cordoba CF, who is currently on loan to Xerez FC in the same league. Patino is expected to add firepower up top with Phil Younghusband.
Angel Guirado of CD Olimpia de Xativa of the Spanish third-tier league, Liga Adelante B, along with brother Juani Guirado, who is already in the country, will also be present.
Paul Mulders of Dutch Eridivise club ADO den Haag, who is rumored to be linked with Thai Premier League club Chiang Rai United, and Jerry Lucena of Danish Superliga side Esbjerg SB is expected to marshall the midfield.
Defenders Dennis Cagara of Karlsruher SC, Rob Gier of Ascot United, former Grindavik player Ray Jonsson and keeper Roland Muller of Bundesliga second division club MSV Duisburg is also expected to fortify the Azkals defense.
The presence of these foreign-based players will be a potent mix with the pool of talented local-based players led by Chieffy Caligdong, the Younghusband brothers and the Global FC playmakers including Patrick Reichelt, the Angeles twins, Jeffrey Christiaens, Denis Wolf and Matthew Uy, among others.
The Philippines will face Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam and Turkmenistan in the hostilities in Group starting on March 22.
The winner of the group gains an automatic berth in the final tournament of the Challenge Cup in Maldives in 2014 – Rappler.com
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