Two aces’ awaited PH team debuts to happen in KL

The Philippine men’s football team is set to parade two debutants who have long been eyed to play for flag and country when the Merdeka Cup slated early-September kicks off in Kuala Lumpur.

Martin Bjorn Kristensen and Matthew Baldisimo have been listed in the 23-man squad of coach Tom Saintfiet for the invitational tournament, which the Philippines will play for the first time since 1972.

Kristensen and Baldisimo, whose brother Michael already has four national team matches, are the latest additions to the pool which the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) looks to increase with a few more foreign-based players still processing their Philippine passports.

Among them, PFF director of national teams Freddy Gonzalez said, are brothers and Nick and Anthony Markanich, the latter currently playing for Major League Soccer side Minnesota United.

“The papers of the Markenich brothers and a couple of others are still being processed,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a little bit complicated, but hopefully we can have Anthony and Nick on the team as soon we can because they are really important players.”

A third ace

Another MLS player being targeted is Owen Wolff, who plays for Austin FC. Wolff had previous experiences with the United States youth teams.

The team formerly known as the Azkals will face host Malaysia on Sept. 4 in the tourney that implements a knockout-style format before facing Lebanon or Tajikistan in either the final or for third place.

Kristensen is being pinned as a key player at the striker spot after securing his PH passport in July, while Baldisimo is finally healthy to play for the Philippines after being sidelined by an injury.

Saintfiet has also included Patrick Strauss, who last played in the two September 2023 friendlies for then-coach Michael Weiss. He has 17 caps for the Philippines.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, Patrick Reichelt, Amani Aguinaldo, Jarvey Gayoso and Patrick Deyto lead the veteran core for the Merdeka Cup, the first of two international tournaments the men’s side will play leading up to the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup in December.

Kevin Ray Mendoza, Simen Lyngbo, Jesper Nyholm, Christian Rontini, Jefferson Tabinas, Adrian Ugelvik and Scott Woods will also be part of the Philippine roster. INQ