SIX veterans will play for the Philippine national men’s football team and make their appearance with new coach Albert Capellas in the coming King’s Cup in Thailand.
Players led by Fil-German Gerrit Holtmann are returning to the squad, now coached by Spanish mentor Capellas.
The 29-yearold Holtmann, who is based in Bremen, plays as a winger for Bundesliga club VfL Bochum.
“From what I’ve scouted, they (Thailand) are a very good team with good players – dangerous players in front, and good organization in defense and in attack,” said Capellas on his first international outing with the national team.
Also in the roster are long-time standout Manny Ott, Swiss Premier League player Michael Kempter, and promising forward Sebastian Rasmussen.
Thailand-based defender Joshua Grommen and midfielder Patrick Straub are also in the mix.
The Philippines will first meet host Thailand at the Tinsulanon Stadium, before an expected capacity crowd of 24,000.
Thailand is at no. 100 in the FIFA world rankings, while the Philippines sits lower at 148.
The Thai War Elephants have never relinquished a game to the Filipinos since the 1970’s.
Capellas has made adjustments with the roster, with at least three veterans unavailable, and with Fil-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge devoting his energies with Thai League 1 champions Buriram United.
