Former Philippine Azkals member Jason De Jong is still interested in playing for the national men's football squad, said team manager Dan Palami.
"He (De Jong) told me that he is still interested in joining the team. He apologized for not participating with the Azkals because he is playing with his Indonesian club," said Palami, who added that De Jong personally talked to him.
But Palami said De Jong's Indonesian club, Persiba Balikpapan, would not release the Filipino-Dutch midfielder because the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup is not part of the FIFA calendar.
De Jong, however, played in the first leg of the Challenge Cup in Bacolod.
"We love to have him on the team but it will still be depending on his performance," said Palami.
There are reports that De Jong was dropped from the team for lack of discipline. Also according to a report from Indonesia, his squad fined De Jong for leaving the stadium after being benched by his coach.
Azkals target SEA Games medal
The Azkals will be aiming to win a Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) medal in the coming edition of the biennial meet this November in Palembang province in Indonesia.
"Winning the gold is the best dream, but we are setting our sights on a medal maybe because we have better preparation," said Palami.
Though the SEA Games football competition is an Under-23 event, some members of the Azkals are still eligible to play including goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
There is also the ongoing national Under-23 tournament, which hopes to find members of the national team that will play in the SEA Games.
"After the Under-23 tournament, we will get some players there that will compose the national pool," said Palami. - Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News
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