Gerrit Holtmann headlines Mongolia-bound Azkals – Manila Bulletin

Twenty-four gamers have been named to the Philippine Azkals squad for the third spherical of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers which begins Wednesday, June 8 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

German Bundesliga standout Gerrit Holtmann headlines the checklist of gamers that earned the nod of returning coach Thomas Dooley for the ultimate part of the continental qualifiers.

However Holtmann, who scored 5 targets through the 2021/22 season, received’t be obtainable till after the Azkals’ first match towards Yemen.

The remainder of the roster can be a mix of veterans and gamers from the youth degree because the Azkals hope to safe qualification to the Asian Cup for the second straight time.

Birmingham Metropolis goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is again behind the sticks for the Azkals whereas naturalized striker Bienvenido Maranon will go well with up for simply his second competitors with the nationwide aspect.

Mark Hartmann, brothers Manny and Mike Ott, Kenshiro Daniels, Patrick Reichelt, Dennis Villanueva and OJ Porteria have been tapped for one more tour of obligation whereas U-23 mainstays Oliver Bias, Sandro Reyes and Oskari Kekkonen additionally made the checklist.

Additionally becoming a member of are Dylan de Bruycker and Jhan-Jhan Mellliza, who may earn his first worldwide cap.

Tasked to play defensive roles are long-time gamers Amani Aguinaldo, Daisuke Sato and Simone Rota, Miguel Mendoza, Mar Diano, Jesse Curran and Jefferson Tabinas, the Japanese second division participant who made his debut in final 12 months’s World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Kevin Hansen and Anthony Pinthus will be part of Etheridge because the crew’s goalkeepers.

The Azkals will look to both prime Group B or emerge as one of many 5 finest second placers to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup.

After Yemen, the Philippines takes on host Mongolia on June 11 and Palestine on June 14.

The ultimate checklist got here after a rocky preparation that noticed Dooley electing to not embody captain Stephan Schrock coupled with the Azkals shedding to a choice of Philippines Soccer League gamers in a latest tune-up match.