Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 7) – Veteran national team defender Carlie de Murga rejoins the squad as he boosts the Philippine Azkals lineup that will face China in the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers at Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
“Since the venue has been moved to Dubai, I’m able again to join the national team,” De Murga said in his Twitter account.
The 32-year-old Filipino Spanish defender initially begged off from joining the Azkals after failing to obtain a Chinese visa. The venue of the World Cup qualifying matches has since been transferred from Suzhou, China to UAE last June 1.
The Philippines and China, currently tied for second place in Group A with seven points, will face off at 1 a.m. on Tuesday (Philippine time).
The two teams settled for a scoreless draw in their first encounter held in October 2019 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
The Scott-Cooper mentored Azkals will also parade four new players in their 21-man lineup against China comprising of defenders Michael Kempter and Jefferson Tabinas, goalie Bernd Schipmann, and Filipino German midfielder Oliver Bias.
Azkals team captain Stephan Schrock, Angel Guirado, brothers Manny and Mike Ott, Martin Steuble, Kenshiro Daniels, and Jarvey Gayoso are expected to lead the Philippine side against the Chinese.
The Azkals trained for two weeks in Doha, Qatar to prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.
