BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Football Federation is determined to send the best team to the 2012 Suzuki Cup late this even if it meant spending for the release of the national team’s Europe-based players from their clubs.
The Azkals are hoping to at least match their semifinal run two years ago, but the experienced players who have boosted the team’s stock the past two years are playing in Europe, casting doubts over their availability since the tournament doesnt fall on FIFA international dates.
Among those playing in Europe are Stephan Schrock, who is attached with Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga, Neil Etheridge with Fulham, Jerry Lucena of Aarhus in Denmark and Paul Mulders ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands, Manny Ott of Ingolstadt in Germany.
PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta yesterday said they are prepared to compensate clubs just for the players to be released.
“If we can compensate for their services, we’ll do the costs and we’ll talk to the clubs,” said Araneta who was in attendance when the Azkals whipped Guam, 3-0, in a friendly last Tuesday at the Panaad Stadium. “We’re prepared to put up the best team whatever the cost.”
“Our target is probably just the semifinals,” said Araneta. “We know the reality of the clubs that they’ll only release their players on FIFA match days.”
Araneta remains optimistic though pointing out the case of Etheridge and Mulders, who were released for Challenge Cup, which was also not in the FIFA calendar.
“If we make the proper representations to the clubs—If their player is just going to spend his time on the bench, it’s better for them to release the players (for national team duty). That’s what we’re hoping for,” said Araneta.
Azkals manager Dan Palami said the team will prepare on the premise that the the Europe-based players will not be available for the tournament.
“We will prepare with the worst case scenario in mind,” he said. “Its important that the team we have based in the country is strong.”
As part of the preparation, Palami said they could play matches with club teams on Thailand and Hong Kong to give locally-based players exposure.
“We get exposure without compromising our ranking,” he said.
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