AFC Challenge Cup 2012: Philippines & Fulham Goalkeeper to Play against Malaysia but Not Confirmed In AFC Challenge Cup

As AFC Challenge Cup 2012 is coming closer the participating team are preparing well either by training hard or playing international Friendly. The Philippine Azkals’ are playing international friendly against Malaysia and its first choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has confirmed he will be playing in the national team's friendly match against Malaysia on February 29. The match, taking place at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, is the final tune-up game for the Azkals ahead of this year's AFC Challenge Cup 2012 in Nepal.

Malaysia, currently 150th in the FIFA world rankings, is the defending 2010 Suzuki Cup champion. Etheridge feels it will be a stern test to see how far the Azkals have progressed since their last tournament.

Neil Etheridge

European-based Filipinos Paul Mulders, Ray Jonsson and Rob Gier will all be suiting up for the Azkals in the Challenge Cup, while Stephan Shrock and Dennis Cagara will be confirming their availability as the tournament nears.

Etheridge wants to participate but is unsure whether he will be released by his employers - English Premier League side Fulham FC.

Logo of PFF

"I know that Fulham want me to stay around the club as often as possible. As much as I'd love to go to the Challenge Cup, because it's a great competition and we've got such a hard group, and I want to compete, it's too far away really to say whether I'll be there or not yet", he said.

The Philippines is pooled in the same group as India, Tajikistan and defending Challenge Cup champions DPR Korea (North Korea). The AFC Challenge Cup will take place from March 8-18 in Nepal.

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