Azkals putting best foot forward

MANILA, Philippines — Serbian coach Goran Milojevic has formed a crack team of 23 led by veterans of the AFC Asian Cup as the Philippine Azkals kick off their bid in the joint qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup next week with group games set against Syria and Guam.

Milojevic, who took the reins from now assistant team manager Scott Cooper, called back Stephan Schrock, Michael Falksgaard, Javier Patino, Daisuke Sato, John Patrick-Strauss, Kevin Hansen, Carli de Murga, Kevin Ingreso, Alvaro Silva , Mike Ott, Manny Ott, Ian Ramsay and Patrick Reichelt after the Phl’s historic Asian Cup debut,

The Azkals mentor, who will be assisted by Hezirdan Ramadani and goalkeeping coach Milos Simic, also tapped Justin Baas from the Netherlands and Yrick Gallantes from Scotland to beef up the side in Phl’s home opener against Syria this Thursday and an away fixture with Guam on Sept. 10.

Milojevic also gave Patrick Deyto, Martin Steuble, OJ Poteria, Angel Guirado, Amani Aguinaldo, Sean Kane, Mark Hartmann and Marco Casambre their return stints with Phl XI.

Ace goalkeer Neil Etheridge of Cardiff is missing out as he recovers from a hamstring injury while another influential player is not around in leading scorer Phil Youngshusband, who hasn’t played in a long while since his club Davao Aguilas disbanded.

The Azkals seek to capitalize on its homefield advantage at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City against the Syrians to start their quest on a blazing note then possibly bring the momentum over to the second fixture versus the host Guamaians.