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Post by jpmanahan on Jul 17, 2018 3:24:57 GMT 8
Story says that Cardiff City also signed Alex Smithies of Queens Park Rangers, who was and still is in the Championship. Neil should be #1, and Alex Smithies should be backup and more importantly, keep Neil sharp as he is the competition for that #1 spot. Cardiff needs a GK when Neil will be in the UAE for some matches early next year, so...
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Post by cjeagle on Jul 25, 2018 2:33:46 GMT 8
Football's standing in Philippines set to be boosted by Cardiff's Etheridge Developing in the youth system of a Premier League club can be a cushy existence. Of course, there is the daily grind of hacking at the oft-impenetrable ceiling into the senior setup, but having aspects of your life such as diet and accommodation arranged while playing football isn't a bad way to live for a teenager. So, when Neil Etheridge elected to represent the Philippines, the birthplace of his mother, at the age of 18, it proved to be a wake-up call for a goalkeeper who had learned his trade at Chelsea and Fulham. "As westerners, we are sheltered to the poverty that the country does have, even when I was growing up I never got to see that and was sheltered from it to a certain degree," Cardiff City's Etheridge told theScore. "My family come from nothing." Etheridge's mum, Merlinda, was the eldest of 13 siblings from Tarlac, a province with a strong agricultural footing. She left her large family after meeting Martin Etheridge in Hong Kong, and the couple has been together for nearly 30 years since. Etheridge speaks with a worldliness influenced by his parents, and also fostered by a career that has survived significant setbacks - he was without a club for four or five months and, after subsiding on short-term contracts at Oldham and Charlton Athletic, was given a lifeline at Walsall. International duty has also taken him to the Maldives, Laos, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, and many other locations far removed from his native north London. "We'd stay in whatever was affordable. Training camps were very different," he said of the differences from the well-oiled mechanism of Premier League football. "The national team never used to play inside international dates, that's how different it was. They didn't even know what an international date was because they never really had any experience of players playing outside of the Philippines. The Philippines 10 years ago never even had a national football league. It's been a very interesting journey." Most of Etheridge's teammates weren't borrowed from clubs, but were rather employed by the army or navy. There were some players who had experience in Europe - like the Younghusband brothers who were in Chelsea's youth academy, and former Wimbledon and Rushden & Diamonds centre-back Rob Gier - but that representation was often slim compared to rivals in the Asian Football Confederation. The sport's standing in the Philippines is "extremely far off" the overwhelming favourite basketball, and a considerable lack of investment in the country's football setup meant the national team was left to fend for itself in Etheridge's early days in the squad. And, in 2010, that's exactly what the Philippines did. The squad scraped through qualification to the 2010 AFF Championship - a knockout competition reserved for Southeast Asian countries - and entered the tournament widely tipped as cannon fodder for giants of the region such as Indonesia and Thailand. A last-minute equaliser from England-born Chris Greatwich - his brothers Phil and Simon also won caps for the Philippines - in the group opener against football-mad Singapore proved the western Pacific archipelago wasn't there just to make up the numbers. "It was a massive shock to Southeast Asia that we'd not just gone there to lose," Etheridge recalled. "We were there to battle. In the second game, we beat the reigning champions Vietnam comfortably 2-0, and people then started to recognise that the Philippines needed to be taken seriously." When the Philippines made it into the semi-finals, the derisory facilities laid out by the federation meant the country could not host a game. The Philippines did not have a national stadium recognised by FIFA. "We ended up playing both games away from home in front of 100,000 and 80,000 people," Etheridge recalled of a 2-0 aggregate defeat he credits as beneficial to a career that almost ended in 2014 when he couldn't find a club. The shot-stopper said the 2010 squad "blew up massively" in the Philippines, and other footballers from around Europe subsequently declared their allegiance to the country. Results have fallen off a little from eight years ago, but for Etheridge, the mission remains the same. "As players, we want to start putting football on the map and inspiring the younger generations to play and enjoy football," Etheridge said, before assessing the Philippines' alternative perception of the sport. "Football over there is still classed as, what you'd call over here, a middle-class to upper-class sport, which around the world is not the case. There's learning to be done over there and a lot of changes to be made for people to understand." Etheridge was a vital cog in Neil Warnock's pragmatic Cardiff side last season. The Bluebirds unexpectedly - and, in typical Warnock fashion, with the worst passing accuracy but most aerials won in the division - secured promotion from the Championship in 2017-18, and are embarking on a campaign where Premier League survival must be the priority. Among some shrewd buys from Cardiff is the arrival of Alex Smithies, a long-respected Football League goalkeeper who threatens Etheridge's place in the starting XI. Naturally, Etheridge's focus is on maintaining his spot in the lineup, but representing a modestly backed and supposedly lesser sport in your respective country comes with responsibilities. The Enfield lad is an ambassador for the Philippines. "It would definitely be recognised and appreciated, but I don't think it would be top headline news," he said when asked what the response would be if he was the first Filipino to appear in England's top flight. "But for me, it's about getting the people who are interested in football to be able to say there is someone involved in the Premier League who is Filipino. Hopefully, from there it can gain more interest and help people to start playing the sport." www.thescore.com/eng_fed/news/1573333
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Post by xyz1000 on Jul 26, 2018 10:01:40 GMT 8
Current transfermarkt value for Etheridge is 750,000 €. Not bad. But considering that Cardiff City just signed Alex Smithies for a 4M € transfer fee, and he's supposed to be the challenger to Etheridge, then Etheridge's value should be at least 4M €, if not higher. The value hasn't been updated since Sept 2017 according to the Transfermarkt website, so it's definitely old.
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Post by jpmanahan on Jul 27, 2018 3:16:35 GMT 8
Current transfermarkt value for Etheridge is 750,000 €. Not bad. But considering that Cardiff City just signed Alex Smithies for a 4M € transfer fee, and he's supposed to be the challenger to Etheridge, then Etheridge's value should be at least 4M €, if not higher. The value hasn't been updated since Sept 2017 according to the Transfermarkt website, so it's definitely old.
Interesting that Cardiff is relying on two keepers with nary an on-field top-flight experience. One wonders if they are still going to be in play for a vet third-string that has had such a feat.
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Post by cjeagle on Aug 7, 2018 1:10:02 GMT 8
Etheridge hoping to make history with City Excitement builds in South East Asia ahead of big kick-off... With the Bluebirds opening their 2018/19 Premier League game at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, Filipino international Neil Etheridge spoke of the pride he’ll be feeling to represent his country in front of the watching world. Etheridge is set to become the first Filipino player to feature in England’s top flight – something that naturally excites the City shot-stopper. “Hopefully if I step on the field next season, I’ll make history,” said Neil, with a proud smile. “I’m very proud to be Filipino and to represent the Philippines.” Having recorded an impressive 19 clean sheets for the Bluebirds during last season’s promotion-winning campaign, Etheridge hopes his success will serve as a springboard for football in the Philippines. He continued: “It’s a developing country in terms of football; we’ve got other sports such as boxing and basketball that we’re competing against. "Football only came on to the map in 2010, so it’s still a long way off where it could be and should be. It’ll take some time to get there. “It’s obviously great that the Premier League is shown there and around the whole of Asia and it’s fantastic that people over there will be able to watch games on a regular basis. “Hopefully there’ll be more Cardiff City fans over in South East Asia now, too. I’ve speaking to the family out there; they’re enjoying it and riding the wave.” And with Etheridge looking set to become the first Filipino international to feature in the Premier League, the City ‘keeper hopes that there’ll be many more Filipino players to follow in his footsteps. “For me it’s always been about trying to promote football in the country,” Neil reflects. “As an individual I can only take it so far, but I want to keep pushing so as to put the Philippines on the map. “If we can start opening eyes and get Filipino people seeing that there is a way to come over and play in Europe, even though it’s on the other side of the world, then that would be great.” www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/etheridge-hoping-to-make-history-with-city/
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Post by cjeagle on Aug 7, 2018 1:25:21 GMT 8
Etheridge: I'm proud to represent the Philippines Cardiff City goalkeeper hopes his success can inspire Southeast Asians as he aims for historic PL debut A lot has changed in the last year for Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. Last summer his contract at League One side Walsall expired. It brought an end to his first spell of regular football in a career that included being released by Fulham without making a top-flight appearance. But when Neil Warnock decided to bring Etheridge to Cardiff ahead of the 2017/18 season, he grabbed his chance with both hands. Etheridge became a mainstay in a team that secured promotion to the Premier League. Unforgettable year It was also an unforgettable year for his country, the Philippines. Etheridge, their most famous footballer, helped them qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time. Etheridge can become the Premier League's first Filipino player, and in turn the first person from over 650 million people in Southeast Asia to play in the competition. "I'm very proud to be Filipino - or half-Filipino, half-British - and to represent the Philippines," the 28 year-old says. "It's a developing country in football. We've got other sports, such as boxing and basketball, that we're competing against. "Football really only came on the map in 2010. It's still a long way off where it could be and should be, in comparison to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. But it will take time to get there." Bournemouth bow? Etheridge, could make his PL debut when Cardiff visit AFC Bournemouth on 11 August and he hopes his success can inspire other Filipinos to follow in his footsteps. "Speaking to the family, they're enjoying it, riding the wave," Etheridge adds. "As an individual, I can only take it so far but I really want to keep pushing and really start to put the Philippines on the map. "The Philippines is very largely populated. If we can start really opening their eyes and maybe seeing that there's a way of coming over to Europe and playing, even though it's on the other side of the world." www.premierleague.com/news/794448
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Post by cjeagle on Aug 9, 2018 4:22:35 GMT 8
www.espn.com/soccer/blog/football-asia/153/post/3589242/philippines-goalkeeper-neil-etheridge-blazing-a-trail-for-south-east-asia-in-the-premier-leaguePhilippines goalkeeper Neil Etheridge blazing a trail for South East Asia in the Premier League When Cardiff City kick off their return to the Premier League at Bournemouth's Dean Court on Saturday afternoon, Neil Etheridge will be making history when he takes his position between the posts for Neil Warnock's side. The 28-year-old Philippines goalkeeper will become the first player from South East Asia -- a region fanatical about English football -- to feature in the Premier League as England's top flight adds another nationality to its ever-growing list of international participants. "Well I've got to step on the field first, but if that happens then I'll be the first Filipino and the first South East Asian to play in the Premier League and that will be a massive thing for myself, my family and the people around me," Etheridge told ESPN FC. "But also, hopefully, it will serve as a good platform for people to see that if I can do it then hopefully we can push other South East Asian players to see that there's a big world out there outside of Asia. It's very exciting." Born in London, Etheridge qualifies for the Philippines through his mother and, after playing for England at under 16 level, the imposing goalkeeper pledged his international future to the Azkals a decade ago. In that period Etheridge has played more than 50 times for the Philippines, with the highlight coming earlier this year when he helped the country qualify for the finals of the Asian Cup -- the quadrennial continental championship -- for the first time. Now, after a journey that has taken him from Chelsea and Fulham, where he started his career at academy level, through the likes of Oldham and Charlton, Etheridge is ready for another first as he prepares for his Premier League debut. Etheridge was a key component for Warnock's promotion winners and he's hopeful his climb to the summit of the English game will play a role in boosting the popularity of football in the Philippines, where basketball is the sport of choice. "The Philippines is not a footballing country, and that is what it is unfortunately, but there have been a lot of people there who have done a lot of work to help me and support me and there has been a great response," he said of the reaction to his impending Premier League debut. "The Premier League is a massive league to play in and so it's obviously going to have a positive effect and hopefully I can help improve the game's status in the Philippines. What I hope is that we'll see more young kids wanting to play for the national team." Survival will be the order of the day for Cardiff this season after they secured promotion on the final day of last season with a second place finish in the Championship behind Wolverhampton Wanderers. Saturday's opponents Bournemouth serve as the perfect example of what can be achieved by teams who are able to establish themselves in the division after promotion. "The Premier League is the Premier League," said Etheridge. "I had my first season in the Championship last year and you look around and you think: 'There's no easy games here.' But you get to the Premier League and you think: 'There's definitely no easy games here!' "Bournemouth's a nice game to start with. They've been in the Premier League for a few years now and are a good example to follow, but we're looking to get points on the board, of course. "There's no doubt about it, our objective this season is survival and staying in the Premier League to secure ourselves for next season and for any team that's come up from the Championship, every single team will be looking to do the same. "It will be a good game, we're away from home and then we're back to face Newcastle United at the Cardiff City Stadium so it's very interesting times ahead." The meeting with Rafael Benitez's side on the second Saturday of the campaign could see Etheridge face off against two fellow Asian players Yoshinori Muto, of Japan, and South Korea's Ki Sung-Yueng. "The Premier League has so many different nationalities in it," he said. "It's crazy and it's fantastic for football all around the world to be honest. It's a great level to be playing at. It's the most watched league in the world, so to have the opportunity to play and be involved at this level is fantastic for me and I'm looking forward to the season."
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Post by pilferpatchy on Aug 11, 2018 22:51:17 GMT 8
And it's official.
Also, the first penalty save of this season is his.
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Post by xyz1000 on Aug 18, 2018 21:31:51 GMT 8
A penalty save again! That's two consecutive weeks. This one more important since it preserves the tie at the last moments of the game.
Good work, Neil.
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Post by cjeagle on Aug 19, 2018 1:39:14 GMT 8
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Post by cjeagle on Aug 19, 2018 17:16:36 GMT 8
Neil was given a pretty high rating among the man of the match performances in the Premier League for that day in this site. www.whoscored.com/Articles/...urdays-man-of-the-match-performances-assessedCardiff 0-0 Newcastle: Neil Etheridge - 8.41 "Many felt that Cardiff would struggle this season having not replaced a number of players lacking in top-flight experience over the summer, starting in goal with Etheridge. The 28-year-old has silenced any doubters to now, however, becoming only the second goalkeeper ever to save penalties in his first two Premier League appearances. The latest, against Newcastle’s Kennedy, came in the 95th minute to earn his side a point and was his sixth stop of the match." Just 2 games in and it is nice to see Neil is already breaking records in the Premier League.
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Post by xyz1000 on Aug 20, 2018 10:15:26 GMT 8
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Post by cjeagle on Aug 23, 2018 20:58:10 GMT 8
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Post by cjeagle on Aug 26, 2018 15:06:53 GMT 8
Another clean sheet for Neil in Cardiff's 0-0 draw with Huddersfield.
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Post by cjeagle on Sept 1, 2018 7:49:14 GMT 8
Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge nominated for Premier League Player of the Month award – Vote here www.insidewalessport.co.uk/cardiff-keeper-etheridge-potm-award/Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has been nominated for the Fans’ Premier league Player of the Month award. The Bluebirds stopper has enjoyed a sensational start to life in the Premier League with two clean sheets and two penalty saves. Etheridge saved a penalty in Cardiff’s opening day 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, before denying Newcastle winger Kenedy from scoring a stoppage time penalty winner a week later. The Philippines international was a stalwart in Neil Warnock’s side last season, playing in 45 of the Bluebirds’ 46-game promotion campaign. He then became the first ever Philippines international to play in the Premier League when he was chosen to start in front of Alex Smithies on opening day. The 27-year-old’s smooth transition into Premier League life has seen him take the step up with ease and he looks set to have a big season between sticks for the Bluebirds. Etheridge is up against hefty competition for the Fans’ Player of the Month award. Also nominated is Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Benjamin Mendy, Tottenham’s Lucas Moura, Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, and Watford’s Roberto Pereya.
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