Injury knocks Patino off Azkals’ roster

FILIPINO-SPANISH striker Javier Patino has been ruled out of the AFF Suzuki Cup late this month, following his decision to undergo surgery on his back injury in Spain.

Patino, who has scored twice for the Azkals, finished as the second best scorer in the Thai Premier League with 21 goals for Buriram United, which secured its second straight crown last week.

The Azkals management was hoping to secure Patino’s commitment for the Suzuki Cup, after the striker missed the AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives last May due to club commitments.

But Patino decided not to delay surgery anymore as he had played through the injury during the TPL season that started last March.

Lethal in and around the penalty box, Patino’s goalscoring exploits could have come in handy for the Azkals, who will face Laos, Indonesia and Vietnam in Group A of the tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The striker, however, has just played one game—a friendly against Azerbaijan—under coach Thomas Dooley.

Meanwhile, the Azkals left for Bangkok yesterday as they continue preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup with a friendly against Thailand on Sunday in Nakhon Ratchasima.

After missing the friendly against Nepal, which the Azkals won, 3-0, last Saturday, Ceres-La Salle players Patrick Reichelt, Manny Ott, Jeffrey Christiaens and Juani Guirado return to the side for the final stretch of their buildup.