The Philippines have announced their squad for the first two games in their 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup campaign, with the Thai League being the most represented division on the roster.
More than half the Azkal’s squad comes from the Thai League, accounting for 12 of the 23 members of the squad. The Filipino local domestic league comes in second, contributing five players to Scott Cooper’s latest roster. Two players come from the Malaysian Super League, with leagues in Denmark, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Germany each contributing one player to the squad.
Some of the players made moves to the Thai League in the recent summer transfer window, such as Muangthong’s Daisuke Sato, Buriram’s Kevin Ingresso, Port’s Martin Steuble, and Suphanburi duo Patrick Deyto and Alvaro Silva.
Cardiff City’s Neil Etheridge was left out of the squad this term, as were seasoned veterans James and Phil Younghusband. Other notable omissions include Buriram United’s Stephan Palla and Kuala Lumpur FA’s Luke Woodland.
The Azkals will begin their World Cup 2022/Asian Cup 2023 qualifying campaign against Syria at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod on September 5th, before traveling for an away match against Guam on September 10th.