MANILA, March 13 ------ The Philippine men's national football team finally revealed the roster for their upcoming matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers later this month. The 28-man pool, which is headed by new coach Tom Saintfiet, is bannered by team captain Neil Etheridge and veterans Patrick Reichelt, Daisuke Sato, Kevin Ingreso, Jarvey Gayoso, and Amani Aguinaldo.
Saintfiet said that this particular team is a 'balanced group,' but he is demanding more from the Nationals who currently have one point in Group F after their pair of defeats last year. "We have a well balanced group," said Saintfiet. "We have a good team to face Iraq, but we need to play professionally and try to steal some points. We have a balanced team to face a strong opponent."
Aside from the mainstays, the team is also expected to feature players who can make their seniors' squad debuts in Matthew Baldisimo, Michael Baldisimo, Jeremiah Borlongan, Chima Uzoka, Mark Swainston, Andres Aldeguer, and Theo Libarnes. Saintfiet explained that this gives him and his coaching staff a number of options who they can field during their bouts against the only unbeaten squad in their group. "We have both experienced and young [players] in the mix. It's important we look at players who can do the job and who we think could be ready for this task in every position," he bared.
Here is the rest of the roster:
GOALKEEPERS:
1. Patrick Deyto - Chonburi
2. Neil Etheridge - Birmingham City
3. Kevin Ray Mendoza - Persib Bandung
DEFENDERS:
4. Amani Aguinaldo - Trat FC
5. Pocholo Bugas - Angkor Tiger
6. Marco Casambre - Kaya FC–Iloilo
7. Jesse Curran - Ratchaburi
8. Simen Lyngbø - Persik Kediri
9. Jesper Nyholm - Perak
10. Christian Rontini - Persita Tangerang
11. Daisuke Sato - Davao Aguilas
12. Jefferson Tabinas - Buriram United
13. Paul Tabinas - Vuvokar 1991
MIDFIELDERS:
14. Justin Baas - Unattached
15. Matthew Baldisimo - York United
16. Michael Baldisimo - San Jose Earthquakes
17. Kevin Ingreso - Unattached
18. Oskari Kekkonen - Lamphun Warrior
19. Mike Ott - Barito Putera
20. Jose Elmer Porteria - Dewa United
21. Santiago Rublico - Atletico Madrid U19 x
22. Mark Swainston - Kaya FC–Iloilo
FORWARDS:
23. Andres Aldeguer - Central Connecticut University
24. Jeremiah Borlongan - Cebu FC
25. Jarvey Gayoso - Kaya FC–Iloilo
26. Theo Libarnes - Far Eastern University - Diliman
27. Patrick Reichelt - Kuala Lumpur City
28. Chima Uzoka - Cebu FC
They will first face the no.7 ranked Iraq squad on March 22 in Barsa, and they are set for a rematch four days later, March 26, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Game time is at 7 PM.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
Comments