Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) – Veteran national team standouts Stephan Schrock and Neil Etheridge banner the 25-man Philippine Azkals squad that will compete in the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Suzhou, China.
Schrock and Etheridge were appointed as captain and vice-captain, respectively, of the Philippine side in the tournament slated next month.
The Azkals will begin training in Doha, Qatar from May 22-31 before flying to China for their matches against Guam on June 3, China on June 9, and Maldives on June 15.
In its pool released on Thursday, the Azkals welcomed 12 new faces to bolster the Filipinos who are currently in joint second place in the Group A standings with two wins, two losses, and a draw for a total of seven points.
Among the notable new guys in the Azkals include Filipino German midfielders Gerrit Holtmann and Raphael Obermair, Filipino Swedish defender Jesper Neyholm, and Filipino Norwegian midfielder Lloyd Fagerlie.
Azkals head coach Scott Cooper said the four Filipino European booters are still in the process of completing their requirements.
Several members of the Azkals Development Team are also called up including Jarvey Gayoso, Mark Winhoffer, Niko de Vera, and Mark Diano.
Veteran Azkals Mark Hartmann and Angel Guirado are the designated strikers for the Azkals.
Spanish striker Bienvenido Marañon, whose Philippine naturalization has yet to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, was not included in the lineup, but Cooper vowed Marañon will be part of the squad in the future.
Here is the whole 25-man Azkals pool:
FORWARDS
Mark Hartmann
Angel Guirado
MIDFIELDERS
Stephan Schrock (Captain)
Patrick Strauss
Iain Ramsay
Gerrit Holtmann
Raphael Obermair
Patrick Reichelt
Oliver Bias
Jarvey Gayoso
Matthew Baldisimo
Mark Winhoffer
Lloyd Fagerlie
DEFENDERS
Carlie De Murga
Alvaro Silva
Luke Woodland
Jesper Nyholm
Martin Steuble
Jefferson Tabinas
Mar Diano
Niko De Vera
Michael Kempter
GOALKEEPERS
Neil Etheridge (Vice-Captain)
Bernd Schipman
Kevin Ray Mendoza
