Philippines open Bangabandhu Gold Cup campaign tonight.

The Azkals will kick off their campaign against a young Laos side tonight at 6:30 pm local time. (8:30 pm gmt +8) 

A new look Philippine team will be hoping to have a great start to kick off their Gold Cup campaign. The Azkals will face a relatively raw Laos side who’s coming from a 0-0 draw against hosts Bangladesh. The squad, mostly consisting of fringe players and new call ups will be bannered by mainstay Amani Aguinaldo and veterans Misagh Bahadoran and Angel Guirado. The team will be managed by JM Malinay. New head coach Scott Cooper will be expected to watch from the stands to assess the current pool.

Expected to start between the sticks will be Global Cebu FC’s Michael Louie Casas. Backing up casas will be Ceres Negros’ Ed Sacapano and Kaya IloIlo FC’s Ace Villanueva. The defensive corp will be headlined by Ceres’ Amani Aguinaldo and Jerry Barbaso, Global Cebu’s Jordan Jarvis, Alvin Sarmiento, and the returning Anton Del Rosario. They will be supported by Davao’s Julian Clarino and Stallion Laguna’s Nathan Alquiros.

The Midfield will be bannered by the Angeles twins, Global’s Marvin and Kaya’s Marwin, free agent Kenshiro Daniels, Global’s Angelo Marasigan, and Stallion’s Fitch Arboleda. Spearheading the attack will be Negeri Sembilan’s Angel Guirado, Pattaya United’s Hikaru Minegeshi, Davao’s Paolo Salenga, Kaya’s Joven Bedic, free agent Misagh Bahadoran and ADMU’s Jarvey Gayoso. Gayoso’s inclusion is the most notable as he is the only amateur player in the squad.

Catch the game here LIVE