Philippine Men’s Football Team Aims for Breakthrough Victory
Hoping to usher in a new era, the rejigged Philippine men’s football team targets a breakthrough victory in the second round of the joint qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup.
Key Changes in the Team
- John Gutierrez elected as the new Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president
- Freddy Gonzalez appointed as the new team manager
- Tom Saintfiet takes over as the new head coach
- Introduction of the 50-year-old Saintfiet and dropping of the iconic Azkals moniker
The Philippines faces a pivotal clash against Iraq in Basra International Stadium on March 21. The team, currently at third place in Group F, is gearing up for a challenging match against the group leaders.
Player Lineup
Saintfiet has called up 28 players for the second round of the joint qualifiers, including experienced goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and a mix of young talents and veteran players.
Joining Etheridge in the squad are outfielders like Amani Aguinaldo, Pocholo Bugas, Marco Casambre, and others, forming a diverse and skilled team under the new coaching staff.
Despite acknowledging the tough competition against Iraq, Saintfiet remains optimistic about the team’s performance and aims to make a mark in the upcoming matches.