Tough test up for Neil Etheridge

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Filipino international Neil Etheridge faces the toughest test of his career yet on Sunday night when Cardiff City hosts English Premier League leaders Manchester City at Cardiff City Stadium.

In fine form for the Championship side this season, Etheridge is relishing the challenge of playing in the match, which is in the fourth round of the FA Cup, the biggest and oldest competition in English football.

Kickoff is set at 11 p.m. Philippine time.

Coached by Pep Guardiola, who steered Barcelona to Spanish League and UEFA Champions League titles and Bayern Munich to titles in Germany, City is the runaway leader in the EPL.

“I think they are probably the best team in the world right now,” said Etheridge of City. “They play fantastic football and at times are unstoppable.”

“It’s going to be a tough day in the office,” Etheridge told the Inquirer. “I just want to enjoy the moment. But I have to concentrate a bit more when the best players in the world will be shooting at me on goal.”

Etheridge will return to national team duty in March when the Azkals face Tajikistan at home but the 27-year-old goalkeeper said his focus is to help Cardiff earn promotion to the Premier League.

“The season has been very good,” he said, noting that his club is just two points away from the second outright Premier League spot with 20 games to go in the season.