Post by Usapang Football on Aug 27, 2010 13:13:49 GMT 8
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Head coach Norman Fegidero said yesterday that he hoped the reinforcements can provide a stronger challenge to traditional football powers in the region such as Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Joining Younghusband are Chad Gould, Chris Greatwich and Neil Etheridge. Gould had previously played for the RP team while the other two new recruits.
"May malaking maitutulong sila sa team. Right now, meron pa rin kaming tryouts. In two weeks time baka buo na ang team," said Fegidero, who is best remembered for scoring the country's lone goal in a stunning upset over heavily favored Malaysian squad during the 1991 SEA Games in Manila.
Fegidero has already set up a training camp in Barotac and Iloilo City which are considered a rich source of football talent.
Gould and Younghusband, who played for the Philippine team during 2005 SEA Games, arrived in the country last Friday while Greatwich is expected to plane in on May 6. Etheridge will arrive a day after.
Gould is a 6-foot-1 striker and is playing for the Wimbledon FC, while Younghusband is a reserve player for Chelsea, one of the biggest football clubs in England. Greatwich played for Brighton & Hove Albion first team.
Etheridge, meanwhile, is a highly-rated 19-year-old reserve goalkeeper of Fulham Academy FC, which plays in the English Premier League.
Etheridge, who also played for the under-16 squad of England, said he declined the invitation of the Philippine Football Federation last year since he didn't know about the members of the team and can't speak the Filipino language.
"This season, they have asked me again, the team has a new manager and a new president (Jose Mari Martinez) who invited me over and this time I know some of the players," the 6-foot-3 Etheridge said.
"One of the players is from Chelsea (Younghusband) who I know well and he convinced me to go and told me that I would enjoy the experience," Etheridge said. "It will be a completely different style of football to what I am used to playing for Fulham's Academy due to the heat and I don't think it will be as fast."
The national team is actually expecting another reinforcement in Fil-Scotish midfielder James Hall who plays for Everton FC. He has already confirmed his intention to join the team but has yet to arrive.
The Philippines is bracketed in Group B of the four groups in the qualifying meet where defending champion Tajikistan, Bhutan and Brunei Darusalem are also included. Chinese Taipei, Kyrgystan and Nepal host the three other groups -- A, C and D.
In all, a total of 16 teams will be competing in the qualifying round where the No. 1 team in each group will join South Korea, Turkministan, India and Myanmar in the eight-team finals slated July 30 to August 10 in India.
Head coach Norman Fegidero said yesterday that he hoped the reinforcements can provide a stronger challenge to traditional football powers in the region such as Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Joining Younghusband are Chad Gould, Chris Greatwich and Neil Etheridge. Gould had previously played for the RP team while the other two new recruits.
"May malaking maitutulong sila sa team. Right now, meron pa rin kaming tryouts. In two weeks time baka buo na ang team," said Fegidero, who is best remembered for scoring the country's lone goal in a stunning upset over heavily favored Malaysian squad during the 1991 SEA Games in Manila.
Fegidero has already set up a training camp in Barotac and Iloilo City which are considered a rich source of football talent.
Gould and Younghusband, who played for the Philippine team during 2005 SEA Games, arrived in the country last Friday while Greatwich is expected to plane in on May 6. Etheridge will arrive a day after.
Gould is a 6-foot-1 striker and is playing for the Wimbledon FC, while Younghusband is a reserve player for Chelsea, one of the biggest football clubs in England. Greatwich played for Brighton & Hove Albion first team.
Etheridge, meanwhile, is a highly-rated 19-year-old reserve goalkeeper of Fulham Academy FC, which plays in the English Premier League.
Etheridge, who also played for the under-16 squad of England, said he declined the invitation of the Philippine Football Federation last year since he didn't know about the members of the team and can't speak the Filipino language.
"This season, they have asked me again, the team has a new manager and a new president (Jose Mari Martinez) who invited me over and this time I know some of the players," the 6-foot-3 Etheridge said.
"One of the players is from Chelsea (Younghusband) who I know well and he convinced me to go and told me that I would enjoy the experience," Etheridge said. "It will be a completely different style of football to what I am used to playing for Fulham's Academy due to the heat and I don't think it will be as fast."
The national team is actually expecting another reinforcement in Fil-Scotish midfielder James Hall who plays for Everton FC. He has already confirmed his intention to join the team but has yet to arrive.
The Philippines is bracketed in Group B of the four groups in the qualifying meet where defending champion Tajikistan, Bhutan and Brunei Darusalem are also included. Chinese Taipei, Kyrgystan and Nepal host the three other groups -- A, C and D.
In all, a total of 16 teams will be competing in the qualifying round where the No. 1 team in each group will join South Korea, Turkministan, India and Myanmar in the eight-team finals slated July 30 to August 10 in India.