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Filipino football players train at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on March 1, 2024 to prepare for the official selection of new Azkals player who will play for the FIFA World Cup qualifier games. The Philippine mens national football team is set to compete with Iraq on March 21. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/20240301-mens-football-team-practice-MT-18.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino football players train at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on March 1, 2024 to prepare for the official selection of new Azkals player who will play for the FIFA World Cup qualifier games. The Philippine mens national football team is set to compete with Iraq on March 21. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Filipino football players train at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on March 1, 2024 to prepare for the official selection of new Azkals player who will play for the FIFA World Cup qualifier games. The Philippine mens national football team is set to compete with Iraq on March 21. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine men&#x27;s national football team finally revealed the roster for their upcoming matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers later this month.</p><p>The 28-man pool, which is headed by new coach Tom Saintfiet, is bannered by team captain Neil Etheridge and veterans Patrick Reichelt, Daisuke Sato, Kevin Ingreso, Jarvey Gayoso, and Amani Aguinaldo.</p><p>Saintfiet said that this particular team is a &#x27;balanced group,&#x27; but he is demanding more from the Nationals who currently have one point in Group F after their pair of defeats last year.</p><p>&quot;We have a well balanced group,&quot; said Saintfiet. &quot;We have a good team to face Iraq, but we need to play professionally and try to steal some points. We have a balanced team to face a strong opponent.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/4/new-coach-impressed-by-quality-of-pinoy-football-players-1433">READ: New coach impressed by quality of Pinoy football players</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/1/football-saintfiet-optimistic-about-ph-homegrown-talent-2027">READ: Saintfiet optimistic about PH homegrown talent</a></div><p>Aside from the mainstays, the team is also expected to feature players who can make their seniors&#x27; squad debuts in Matthew Baldisimo, Michael Baldisimo, Jeremiah Borlongan, Chima Uzoka, Mark Swainston, Andres Aldeguer, and Theo Libarnes.</p><p>Saintfiet explained that this gives him and his coaching staff a number of options who they can field during their bouts against the only unbeaten squad in their group.</p><p>&quot;We have both experienced and young [players] in the mix. It&#x27;s important we look at players who can do the job and who we think could be ready for this task in every position,&quot; he bared.</p><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Here is the rest of the roster:</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>GOALKEEPERS:</strong></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">1. Patrick Deyto - Chonburi</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2. Neil Etheridge - Birmingham City</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">3. Kevin Ray Mendoza - Persib Bandung</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>DEFENDERS:</strong></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">4. Amani Aguinaldo - Trat FC</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">5. Pocholo Bugas - Angkor Tiger</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">6. Marco Casambre - Kaya FC–Iloilo</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">7. Jesse Curran - Ratchaburi</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">8. Simen Lyngbø - Persik Kediri</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">9. Jesper Nyholm - Perak</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">10. Christian Rontini - Persita Tangerang</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">11. Daisuke Sato - Davao Aguilas</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">12. Jefferson Tabinas - Buriram United</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">13. Paul Tabinas - Vuvokar 1991</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><strong>MIDFIELDERS:</strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">14. Justin Baas - Unattached</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">15. Matthew Baldisimo - York United</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">16. Michael Baldisimo - San Jose Earthquakes</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">17. Kevin Ingreso - Unattached</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">18. Oskari Kekkonen - Lamphun Warrior</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">19. Mike Ott - Barito Putera</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">20. Jose Elmer Porteria - Dewa United</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">21. Santiago Rublico - Atletico Madrid U19 x</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">22. Mark Swainston - Kaya FC–Iloilo</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>FORWARDS</strong>:</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">23. Andres Aldeguer - Central Connecticut University</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">24. Jeremiah Borlongan - Cebu FC</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">25. Jarvey Gayoso - Kaya FC–Iloilo</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">26. Theo Libarnes - Far Eastern University - Diliman</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">27. Patrick Reichelt - Kuala Lumpur City</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">28. Chima Uzoka - Cebu FC</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">They will first face the no.7 ranked Iraq squad on March 22 in Barsa, and they are set for a rematch four days later, March 26, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. </span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Game time is at 7 PM. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3);-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-DKfz-SlGPc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine men’s national football team finally revealed the roster for their upcoming matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers later this month.</p>

The Philippine men’s national football team finally revealed the roster for their upcoming matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers later this month.

PH to parade ‘balanced group’ in FIFA Qualifiers against Iraq: Saintfiet

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PH to parade ‘balanced group’ in FIFA Qualifiers against Iraq: Saintfiet

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 12, 2024 05:32 PM PHT

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Philippine men's national footbal team

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