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Azkals may miss Etheridge, Wolf | Tempo - News in a Flash

Posted: 01 Mar 2012 07:31 AM PST

By JONAS TERRADO

Manila, Philippines – Despite rave reviews from their 1-all tie with Southeast Asian powerhouse Malaysia, there's still a cloud of uncertainty as to which players will represent the Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup.

Denis Wolf, who scored the lone goal for the Azkals in the 34th minute, is going to miss the Challenge Cup because of passport problems while goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is unsure as to whether he'll be available.

Etheridge still has to commit with his English Premier League club Fulham despite being a substitute keeper but the stocky keeper hopes to get a go-signal from his coach Martin Jol to suit up for the Azkals in the Nepal joust.

"At the moment, I'm not too sure if I'll be able to play in the Challenge Cup," said Etheridge. "I have to talk to my coach back home and it's going to come down as to whether he will let me play."

These dilemmas are some of the concerns for the Azkals, who are also unsure as to whether Stephan Schrock or Dennis Cagara will be allowed by their European clubs and if the knee of Chieffy Caligdong will be fully healed when the tourney opens on Mar. 9.

After missing the last three friendly matches at home, including the memorable encounter with David Beckham and the MLS champion LA Galaxy last December, Etheridge was back in action and did a fine job protecting the net.

His teammates, on the other hand, were the ones attacking in the first half which resulted in Wolf's diving header in the 34th minute that thrilled a crowd of about 8,000.

Their defensive front overcame plenty of scoring chances by the Malaysians in the second half. The likes of Jason Sabio and Juan Luis Guirado neutralized striker Safee Sali and Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor and Mohd Zaquan Adha Abd Radzak.

However, the Azkals' bid to repeat the upset win in the 1991 SEA Games came up short in injury time when substitute Ahmad Shakir Mohd Ali hit the equalizer to salvage a draw.

Malaysian mentor K. Rajagopal believes that the Azkals could make an impression against North Korea, India and Tajikistan in the group stage.

Khamis, 1 Mac 2012

Wan Zack Haikal - Google Blog Search

Wan Zack Haikal - Google Blog Search

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