Azkals without several players ahead of semifinals clash

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Due to injury and club commitments, the Philippine national football team, the Azkals, will be without several players ahead of their 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal against the Vietnam national football team on Sunday, December 2, at the Panaad Park and Stadium.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was called up by English Premier League club Cardiff City FC, who faced Wolverhampton Wanderers FC in this weekend’s fixtures; defender Daisuke Sato was called back to his club, Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe of Romania’s Liga I; defender Stephan Palla returned to Thai League 1 club Buriram Unite FC for pre-season training; and midfielder John-Patrick Strauß returned to 2 Bundesliga club FC Erzgebirge Aue.

In addition, midfielder Luke Woodland is out with an injury.

Meanwhile, officials for the match arrived last Friday./JSG, WDJ