Etheridge earns milestone Premier League stint

MANILA, Philippines — Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge opened the doors for his milestone stint in the English Premier League next season as he led his club Cardiff City FC to promotion to the top-flight.

With Etheridge playing the whole 90 minutes, the Bluebirds drew with Leading, 0-0, Sunday en route to a second-place finish in The Championship and a spot in the top-tier Premier League.

The Fil-British, who last manned the sticks for Phl in the Azkals’ 2-1 win over Tajikistan last March in the Asian Cup Qualifiers, sets out to make history by seeing action in England’s first division.

“He has been an integral part of Cardiff City’s success this season. We anticipate the day he becomes the very first Filipino to play in the English Premier League next season,” said Philippine Football Federaion president Nonong Araneta of Etheridge, who featured in 46 league games for Cardiff and had 19 clean sheets. 

The Bluebirds assembled 90 points in the 2017-18 season for No. 2 behind Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 99. 

“We’ve had a fantastic season and I’m so happy to get over the line today,” said Etheridge.