Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — After a season of football with English League One side Walsall FC, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge said this rigid training has led to better performances for the Philippine Azkals.
“I think my performances for the Azkals have grown stronger over 2016, and I hope in 2017 they will grow even stronger,” Etheridge told CNN Philippines.
“A lot of things have changed when you play week in and week out — your nutrition, your diet, how you look after your body.”
Etheridge and the national team have come a long way since he made his international debut in 2008.
Since then, the Azkals have had three consecutive AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal appearances, reached the finals of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, and qualified for the third round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
“It’s been a long journey, we have had ups and downs of course. I think everyone can see that. I don’t think any of the players or the coaching staff can deny that,” said Etheridge.
“The recent games we played, we played extremely well… We have shown once again that we’re improving and going in the right direction.”
The next goal
Even if the Azkals are improving in recent years, they have a long way to go to be at par with top footballing teams such as Argentina, Germany, and Japan.
But even with that in mind, Etheridge is hopeful of the team’s immediate future.
“We need to be realistic,” he said.
“We have got the Suzuki Cup, the South East Asian Cup, coming up this November and that is a realistic competition for us to win.”
Etheridge also mentioned qualification to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as another target within reach, and that the team’s progress in both competitions would be a good gauge for development.
The Philippines will co-host the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup alongside Myanmar from November 19 through December 17.
