United FC takes camp to Vietnam for Asian Cup

United City FC, one of two Philippines Football League clubs still in contention in the AFC Cup, plans to hold training camp in Vietnam should the continental competition push through on Sept. 23.

The club formerly known as Ceres-Negros FC, whose change in name is still under process by the Philippine Football Federation, is on top of its group that includes Than Quang Ninh of Vietnam, Bali United of Indonesia and Svay Rieng of Cambodia.

“If the AFC Cup goes ahead on Sept. 23 and we are still not able to train in the Philippines, we might take the team out of the country and take them where the competition will be in,” said United City cofounder Eric Gottschalk in a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

“At the moment, it (AFC Cup) will be in Vietnam so we are going to be there a little bit earlier.”

The situation, however, remains fluid in Vietnam as the national league in the country has been suspended since last month following reports of local transmissions of COVID-19. “We don’t know if the dates are definite and if we can enter the country so that’s the main concern for us,” Gottschalk added.

Nonetheless, the club executive is confident his players have kept themselves in shape during the quarantine period.

“What I know is everybody has stayed disciplined with their fitness because everybody wants to play football and I’m sure that the players are mature enough to be able to follow their workout routines,” Gottschalk said.

Club captain Stephan Schrock, who is still in Germany, has applied for a guest player permission so he can train with a fifth division club and also play some friendly matches.

“We expect him to be match-ready when he returns,” Gottschalk said.