The Filipinas Manila Camp will start tomorrow and will last until August 23 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The Philippine Football Federation released the list of those invited to attend the camp and majority of them are currently based in the country.
The players include goalkeepers Inna Palacios, Kiara Fontanilla, Yasmin Elauria and Jessica Pido; defenders Lyka Cuenco, Shelah Cadag, Maye Mendaño, Dominique Randle, Jessika Cowart, Jonela Albiño, Hali Long, Rhea Chan, Janly Fontamilla and Sabine Montenegro; milfielders Demely Rollon, Jade Ann Jalique, Sara Castañeda, Hazel Luztan, Jacklyn Sawicki, Charisa Lemoran, Quinley Quezada, Sarahgen Tulabing and Judy Connolly.
Forwards Regine Rebosura, Alisha Del Campo, Anicka Castañeda, Camille Rodriguez and Dionesa Tolentin, Isabella Bandoja and Angelica Teves are also expected in the camp.
Some notable names are missing but since the camp is not being held under FIFA windows, clubs are not obliged to release their players.
“A lot of options in all positions para magkaroon ng magandang player pool na makikita si Coach Mark Torcaso mula dito sa bansa natin na local based,” Jing Jamlang, Media Officer of the Philippine National Men’s Football Team said in speaking in behalf of the team.
Some Filipinas mainstays have also moved to the country making them more accessible to be invited and participate in training camps. These also include those who tried out before and now will be given another shot to join the national team. Jamlang added that the last day of the camp will be open for the media and fans of the Filipinas who have not been in action for several weeks now. The Philippine Football Federation is reportedly arranging friendlies for the Filipinas in October and late November or early December. The venues for the possible tune-up games are also being finalized. Interestingly, Jamlang added that if plans push through, the Filipinas and the Men’s team will be both busy in these times. Alternately playing in home and away games.
Speaking of seeing action, the national team formerly known as the Azkals will compete in three tournaments in the next three months aside. Jamlang said the men’s national team will take part in the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia next month, King’s Cup in Thailand come October and the 2024 AFF Mitsubishi Cup in late November. The two tournaments are part of the preparation for the biggest football event in Southeast Asia.
“All eyes are on the Mitsubishi Electric Cup so kailangan nating maghanda at siguraduhin na yung mga players na magiging available sa dalawang tournament before before the Mitsubishi Electric Cup ang mabibigyan na minutes at tamang assessment,” Jamlang explained.
Like the Filipinas Manila Camp, the Mitsubishi Electric tournament falls on non-FIFA dates. Clubs can choose not to send Filipino players who can possibly play for the Philippines. Jamlang said the PFF will surely make the best of the possible talents that will be available in late November.
Jamlang said he expects that a lot of emphasis will be placed on Scandinavian and North America-based players because they will be on break during that time. And these players should be the ones to be most familiar with Coach Thomas Saintfiet’s game plan.
“One of the players we are most excited about is Bjorn Christensen. He’ll be coming from Norway and we are looking at one or two more. The papers of Nick and Anthony Markanich, who are playing in the United States, are now being processed but as of now we can’t confirm yet if both will be available for the tournament,” Jamlang said.
If these players are able to suit up for flag and country, then the national team will have a lot of options on offense, something that the team formerly known as the Azkals really needed in their last few games. Imagine having Christensen and Nick Markanich on the offense with Sebastian Rasmussen, Jarvey Gayoso, and old but reliable Patrick Reichelt as other options, then the team will be indeed a tough one to beat on the pitch. Madly hoping that the team will bring the championship home.
But of course, the operative word here is if.
Then again, libre ang mangarap because it is the only option that we have right now. Always the eternal optimist when it comes to our national football teams, The Designated Kit Man is hoping that we all rally behind our national teams in the next few months.
I’m also hoping that the PFF will not do a National Golf Association of the Philippines when it comes to the uniform of our national players which despite knowing that the Paris Olympic Games will happen in late July to mid-August, still failed to deliver Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina’s national kits in time. And instead of owning the incompetence, the NSA blamed the _uck-up on someone else.
Mahiya naman kayo.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at [email protected] follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
