PH Azkals to miss Phil in Myanmar

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO (Manila Bulletin)
March 16, 2011, 5:48pm

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Hans Michael Weiss said injured striker Phil Younghusband won't be able to join the Philippine Azkals when they battle the Myanmar football squad at the start of the AFC Challenge Cup group stage hostilities in the military-ruled Myanmar on March 21.

The star striker, 23, pulled his hamstring in the second half of the team’s 1-2 loss to Mongolia in the rematch of their series in the chilly Ulan Bator Tuesday, thus making it impossible for him to play in the next stage.

The Azkals, who will arrive today along with Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano Araneta and team manager Dan Palami, progressed to the group stage despite the loss owing to their superior aggregate tally, 3-2, in the home-and-away series, counting their 2-0 win in Bacolod City.

Holder of 13 international goals for the Philippines, the Filipino-British’s absence will be greatly felt, but the German coach was quick to name able substitutes who are already listed in the roster for the group stage.

“Phil will be out for Myanmar, but we have new players coming in. Of course, it’s sad he will not be there, but we have good options – William Espinosa and Filipino-Spanish Angel Aldeguer Guirado,” Weiss said in an e-mail to the Bulletin.

Guirado, 26, who plays for the Spanish Division III club Deportivo Ronda of Malaga, has impressed Weiss no end when the attacking midfielder practiced with the team recently. Espinosa was raised in
Laguna, but learned football in Germany where his surname was legally changed to Gueridon although his passport still carries Espinosa.

Weiss sees promising results in Myanmar especially with the return of goalie Neil Etheridge although Chris Greatwich will continue to be absent.

“Etheridge will play and chances for the group stage are good. We have strong opponents (but) with all good factors coming together, we can qualify for the best 8,” Weiss said.

The Azkals will be part of Group A where they will face the host, Palestine (March 23) and Bangladesh (March 25). The top two squads after the single-round tourney qualify for the eight-nation main draw in 2012.