GERMAN-AMERICAN COACH WANTS THE BIRMINGHAM CITY GOALKEEPER TO LEAD THE AZKALS IN THE COMING WARS ON THE PITCH. (With reports from Pinoyfootball.com Publisher David Bello Pallasigue)
CAGAYAN de Oro City-Without the former skipper Stephen Schrock, returning coach Thomas Dooley wants veteran goalkeeper Neil Etheridge of Birmingham City FC to lead the Philippine Azkals in the coming AFC Asia Cup qualifiers from June 8 to June 14 in Mongolia.
Etheridge is a UK born Filipino. His Filipina mom Merlinda Dula is from Tarlac while his dad is Englishman Martin Etheridge. He was born in London but has been playing for the Philippine Azkals since 2008.
He has been playing for the Championship side Birmingham City FC of the English Football League since 2020.
Dooley did not elaborate why he prefers Etheridge as skipper instead of Stephen Shrock who early this week was dropped from the team. Etheridge, now 32-years-old, obviously fits to wear the captain’s armband as he is considered as one of the senior citizens of the team having seen action for the Azkals since 2008.
When asked if he will utilise more players playing abroad or local players, Dooley said he will look for the best players available. “That does not mean a Filipino who plays outside the country will not be considered. We have greats talents, they just need to be taught the right way and if so they will great player for our national team.”
Dooley coached the Azkals from February 2014 until March 31, 2018. His contract was not renewed in spite of beating Tajikistan 2-1 to gain a historic qualification to the Asian Cup in 2019. He was replaced by Englishman Terry Butcher who even did not show-up.
Despite of failing to lift a championship trophy for the Azkals, Dooley had a decent performance for the national team recording 18 wins 11 draws, and losing 13 matches.
After leaving the Azkals, Dooley was hired as sporting director of Vietnamese side Viettel where the club won the 2020 V League 1 title after 22 years. He then moved to Malaysia in January 2021 where he coached Malaysia Super League team Sri Pahang. However, after three month of his appointment, he was replaced but later on was rehired as consultant to the Sri Pahang U23 team.
“It was very interesting. I got to know the Malaysian and Vietnamese development philosophy. I also started a mentorship program for young players aged 14-20 who want to be professionals,” he addd.
When asked if he is interested in helping the Philippine youth teams, coach Dooley said yes. “I would love to get my hands on the U23 or U20 or U19. The sooner they do the right thing, have the right mindset, and understand how to play, the better. In Pahang and Viettel, I did individual meetings and group meetings,” he said.
Last month, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has re-appointed Dooley as head coach of the Azkals starting with the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers replacing Scot Cooper. He signed a short term contract with an option of extending depending on the qualification of the Philippines to the 2023 AFC CUP. (jackbiantan@yahoo.com)
