Etheridge, Cardiff go out in style

Filipino international Neil Etheridge came up with a performance to remember in Cardiff City’s final English Premier League match of the season at historic Old Trafford in Manchester Sunday.

The 29-year-old Etheridge chalked up 10 saves as the Bluebirds pulled off a 2-0 upset over powerhouse Manchester United for his 10th clean sheet of the season, which is seventh-best in the competition.

And while Cardiff is one of the three bottom clubs relegated to the English Championship next season, the Azkals goalkeeper can take pride in the fact that he acquitted himself well in the strongest football league in the world.

His 10 clean sheets and three penalty saves are impressive statistics considering that the Cardiff backline was short of options recently after the season-ending injury to Sol Bamba.

“Still disappointed to be relegated, but the result today showed the team’s character against a strong team like Manchester United—a club which has so much history, too,” said Etheridge, named Player of the Season by Cardiff last week.

He plans to use the two-month break by visiting the Philippines late this month.

“I’ve been training and playing nonstop for almost the past two years so it would be nice to get a quick break in the Philippines,” said Etheridge, who has 62 appearances for the Philippine national team since 2008.