Etheridge to miss Suzuki Cup tilt

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals will embark on their mission in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup without goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who ruled himself out due to a commitment to League One side Walsall FC.

The Suzuki Cup group stage will be hosted by the Philippines on Nov. 19-25, a schedule that falls outside the Fifa international dates – making it hard for the likes of Etheridge to get release from their mother clubs overseas.

Etheridge was part of the batch that scored a breakthrough semifinal appearance in 2010 but has since not played in the biennial event again.

“It’s frustrating that the Suzuki Cup doesn’t fall within international dates, but for the past years now I guess I have been used to not being involved,” Etheridge said yesterday.

“It’s disappointing for me on a personal level because the experiences that I gained from that cup competition when I was younger were second to none, the atmosphere, the intensity and the teams pulling together to gain victory.”

“Nothing I can do about the games being held outside the international dates so I try not to think about the situation. No doubt I will be watching and cheering the Azkals on from England,” he said.

Etheridge, who will also skip the Azkals’ upcoming friendlies against Bahrain and North Korea next month, leaves Roland Muller, Patrick Deyto and Nick O’Donnell with the goalkeeping chores.