PH roster for Asean football championship announced, minus a number of key stars

The Philippine men’s football team finally announced its 26-man squad for next week’s Asean Championship, commercially known as the Mitsubishi Electric Cup, with some of its stars missing from the roster.

Striker Gerrit Holtmann, defender Jefferson Tabinas, midfielder Manny Ott and goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza were among the notable names that won’t be around as their respective clubs opted to not release them since the tournament is not scheduled in the Fifa international window.

Clubs are required to let their players suit up for national team duties if the schedules are within the Fifa dates.

But coach Albert Capellas has retained some fixtures from recent friendlies, namely striker Bjorn Kristensen and Alex Monis; midfielders Zico Bailey, Michael Baldisimo and Sandro Reyes; and defenders Paul Tabinas, Michael Kempter and Kike Linares.

Myanmar is first foe

The roster was bared only on Friday through social media following weeks of anticipation since rival nations have already named their lineups in advance.

One player, though, will see action depending on how far the Philippines can go in the tourney, as Santi Rublico is said to be only available in the semifinals, that is if the Nationals secure a top two finish in a tough Group B.

The Filipinos open their bid Thursday against Myanmar at Rizal Memorial Stadium before flying to Vientiane to face Laos on Dec. 15.

Then it will be the major tasks for the Philippines for the remaining two games in Vietnam at Rizal on Dec. 18 and Indonesia on Dec. 21 in Surakarta. Vietnam is said to be bringing its top squad, while Indonesia will be sending a team composed mostly of players under 22 years old.

Other players set to play in the Mitsubishi Electric Cup are forwards Patrick Reichelt, Jarvey Gayoso, Uriel Dalopo, Cholo Bugas, Leo Maquiling and Dov Carino, and midfielders Oskari Kekkonen and new recruit Javier Mariona.