| Neil impresses coach Norman |
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| Friday, 09 May 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||
 view gallery GITAGUM - FULHAM reserve goalkeeper Neil Etheridge finally landed on the Philippines and has immediately made a good impression on RP team coach Norman Fegidero. Neil arrived in the Azkals' training camp in Barotac Nuevo Iloilo May 7 and quickly attended his first workout with the team in preparation for the Asian Challenge Cup group 2 elimination tournament which is set on May 13-18 in Iloilo city and Barotac Nuevo Iloilo. `He looks very fit and strong. I am impressed but lets see how he plays with his new teammates,' coach Norman said in an exclusive interview with Pinoysoccer.com. Coach Norman added that Neil will be tried in the last few days before the tournament kicks off on May 13 with th Azkals playing Brunei 3 p.m. at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz Iloilo city. He also announced that Everton have refused to release teenage midfielder James Hall. Coach Norman said that Hall is still recuperating from a knee injury and has not played for a long time thus Everton do not want to gamble by letting him play for the RP team. Coach Norman also added that the final lineup of the team will be finalized on May 10 in a press conference at the Sarabia Minor Hotel in Iloilo city. The entire national training pool will be present during the announcement. Only 23 players from the current 34 players will be named to the lineup. Meanwhile, PFF deputy secretary general Jojo Rodriguez confirmed that the Iloilo city Sports complex and the Barotac Nuevo football field are now ready to host the games. Rodriguez said that the grasses are now green and the pitches are fixed and the dressing rooms are all brand new. Iloilo will host the RP team match against tournament champion Tajikistan on May 15. Barotac Nuevo will then host the final match against Bhutan on May 17.
madrista4ever
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| Why is it Neil Ethridge only arrived on May 7 when the Asian Challenge Cup starts on May 13. Thats only 6 days prior to an International tournament. IMO thats not enough time for him to get used to the local weather and train to familiarized with our national team. FIFA rules states that FA's can recall a player from a club, 2 weeks (14 days) before a International Tournament, Qualifiers or Friendly. Did PFF exercised that right with Fulham? We all appreciate and privelaged for Fulham for training this youngster. Neil wouldnt be where he is right now without their youth academy system. But as an FA the PFF should need to work on establishing a reliable communication link with foreighn clubs. So we could recall players for international duty in a timely manner. |
Jurgen
said:
| Go!Philippines! |
booblehead
said:
| hehehe there shouldnt be a problem. unless he has a strong welsh accent, which i dont think he does. |
BIGTUNA
said:
| I hope Neil gets acclimated quickly to the weather. I am sure he will be a great fit to the squad.I also hope his teammates will have no problem understanding his defensive commands.Good Lucks Azkals |
Dominique
said:
| this is great! i think everything if set for the games already... sayang wala si James Hall... anyways, marami pa namang capable diyan... Go Azkals! |
Reddevil
said:
| Thats great news iceangelfire. I dont think the RP team has had a keeper that big. Lets hope he fits in quickly. I think we have the same set of Fil brits as in the previous tournaments so they shouldnt be too unfamiliar. Thing is, there maybe a few new faces for the locals. |
iceangelfire17
said:
| Yeah Neil Etheridge. is something good on the team!! He was Good, I saw him practicing at the Central Philippines University Grounds! He was Good in keeping the Goal. Hi is Very Strong One |
jonny
said:
| Change of schedule ? I thought that the match against Tajikistan was played in Iloilo and Bhutan match in Barotac Nuevo. http://www.the-afc.com/eng/competitions/fixtures/index.jsp_ACC-2008-536.html |
runi
said:
| good! sayang lang walang james hall, pero ok na rin. |
