The Philippine men’s national football team has announced new selections for the King’s Cup, set for October 8-14 in Thailand, with coach Albert Capellas making changes due to the absence of veterans, including Neil Etheridge. The squad introduces new talent while preparing for upcoming competitions.
The Philippine men’s national football team is undergoing a transformation as new players have been selected to represent the country in the upcoming King’s Cup, scheduled from October 8 to 14 in Thailand. The team’s new coach, Albert Capellas, is implementing changes due to the absence of at least three veteran players, including Fil-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who is currently engaged with Buriram United, the champions of Thailand’s League 1. Etheridge, aged 34, has been an integral part of the Philippine squad since 2008 but has signed a two-year contract with Buriram United, thus leaving a void in the national team along with brothers Michael and Matthew Baldissimo, who are recuperating from injuries. Freddy Gonzalez, the national training director of the Philippine Football Federation, stated, “He (Etheridge) is focused with his new club. We will see what happens. The coaches have not closed the door on him. It does not mean that if you are not selected, you won’t be selected in the future.” This recent selection has introduced new talents such as goalkeeper Kevin Rey Mendoza, who currently competes with Indonesian club Persib Bandung, along with Joshua Grommen, Jesper Nyholm, and Christian Rontini, players affiliated with clubs overseas. The Philippines will be contending alongside Thailand, Tajikistan, and Syria in this year’s 50th King’s Cup, a prestigious international men’s football tournament organized annually by the Football Association of Thailand. Albert Capellas, a 56-year-old coach from Spain, is set to make his debut as the national team’s head coach during this tournament. He expressed his hopes for contributing positively to Philippine football through his extensive experience and dedication. This event also serves as preparation for the team ahead of the Mitsubishi Electric Cup scheduled in December, as Capellas continues to cultivate the squad’s development after taking over from Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, who departed after six months to lead the Malawi national team.
The King’s Cup is an annual international men’s football tournament that showcases national teams competing for prestige in the sport. The Philippines, which has seen a rise in football popularity, will join this esteemed tournament for the 50th time. The appointment of Albert Capellas as the new head coach marks a significant shift in strategy and personnel, as the team prepares both for this tournament and future competitions, such as the Mitsubishi Electric Cup in December.
In summary, the Philippine national men’s football team is poised for a new era under coach Albert Capellas as they prepare for the King’s Cup in Thailand. With the introduction of new players following the absence of key veterans, the team aims to leverage their fresh talent and Capellas’ experience for competitive success. The management remains optimistic about future selections and possibilities for previously unavailable players.
Original Source: manilastandard.net
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