Shrock leads 39-man Azkals pool for WC qualifiers

Philippine coach Scott Cooper is set to register 39 players from where his 23-man squad will come from for the first round of World Cup qualifying matches against Syria on Sept. 5 and against Guam five days later.

Captain Stephan Schrock headlines the list together with Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who remains doubtful for the two matches after sustaining a hamstring injury in an English Championship match over the weekend.

In an effort to widen his talent pool, Cooper named seven newcomers, including goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann from Germany, Michael Kempter from Switzerland, Raphael Obermair from Austria, Jesse Curran from Scotland and Elias Mordal from Norway.

Young prospects Yrik Galantes, Niko De Vera and Mikel Justin Baas are also in the list.

The 18-year-old Galantes, who can operate on either wing or through the middle, is under contract with Scottish club Hibernian, while De Vera is on the second team of the Portland Timbers.

Asian Cup veterans Phil Younghusband and James Younghusband as well as Patrick Reichelt, who has starred in the Malaysia League this season, were also selected together with Amani Aguinaldo and Luke Woodland.

Out of the 39 players on the list, 16 strut their wares in the Thai Premier League, including goalkeepers Patrick Deyto and Michael Falkesgaard, whose teams were up against each other over the weekend.

With Deyto coming up with a string of impressive saves and another Filipino international, Alvaro Silva, coming up with a gallant defensive stand, Suphanburi held Falkesgaard’s Bangkok United side to a 1-1 draw.

The match marked the first time that Deyto conceded a goal, but it was still a point gained for Suphanburi, which is battling to avoid relegation.

Midfielder Kevin Ingreso also made an impact for reigning champion Buriram United, providing the assist to the goal of Suphanat in a 1-0 win over PTT Rayong, while Martin Steuble played the whole 90 minutes in Port FC’s 1-1 draw with Prachuap.