PH booters open Merdeka Cup bid against Malaysians

Norman Fegidero —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Philippine men’s football team will be without two key defensive cogs for its Merdeka Cup match against host Malaysia on Wednesday, but interim coach Norman Fegidero vowed to put up a gallant showing amid a sudden change in leadership that rocked the squad last week.

“We’ll give them a good fight,” Fegidero said on the eve of the 9 p.m. contest at Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil Stadium. “Of course, we want to win, but it still depends on the players that we have. But I believe that we’re all on the same page.”

An upset win in which the country is participating in for the first time since 1972 will send the Filipinos to the final on Sunday against either Lebanon or Tajikistan, the winner of last year’s competition.

Fegidero will have big shoes to fill after being tasked to hold the coaching position on a caretaker duty following Tom Saintfiet’s sudden departure for Mali.

His challenge to put up at least a strong showing in the Malaysian capital was also compounded with the withdrawals of Patrick Strauss, who can play as a back or a defensive midfielder, and Zico Bailey, a right back, due to injuries.

Assistants

Strauss and Bailey were replaced by striker Uriel Dalapo and defender Kristofer Reyes on the 23-man squad.

“It’s a big challenge for me to prepare them [for this tournament],” said Fegidero, who is back to the role he held in the 2008 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup Qualifiers in Iloilo where he registered two wins against a draw.

Fegidero will get some support from assistants tapped from the women’s football team coaching staff led by head tactician Mark Torcaso.

Bjorn Kristensen is part of the squad and could feature for his Philippine debut. He is one of seven strikers headlined by Patrick Reichelt, who plays club football in Malaysia for Kuala Lumpur City, and Jarvey Gayoso, who recently left Kaya-Iloilo to sign for Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown.

Sandro Reyes, currently based in Germany for Greuther Furth II, was another late addition to the team, with the midfielder last donning the national team shirt in June 2023. INQ