The Philippine Men’s Under-23 National Football Team seeks to redeem itself after a dismal AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification campaign last year with a fine performance in the 2022 AFF Under-23 Youth Championship, which will be held in Cambodia next week.
Captained by midfielder Oliver Bias, the squad will be bannered by midfielders Oskari Kekkonen, Sandro Reyes, Dennis Chung, and goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad – all of whom have had experience at the senior level during the Azkals’ recent forays in the joint 2022 FIFA World Cup/2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and much-delayed 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup.
Players competing to be part of the backline include Stallion Laguna’s Gyles Encabo and Jayvee Kallukaran, Ateneo’s Jacob Liao, ADT’s Pete Andrei Forrosuelo, Dynamic Herb Cebu’s Jaime Rosquillo, Portsmouth Academy’s David Setters, and Scott Woods of Northeastern State University.
When it comes to the midfield, former FEU-Diliman star Pocholo Bugas, Macarthur FC’s Jacob Maniti, Stallion Laguna’s Griffin McDaniel, Azkals Development Team’s Lance Ocampo, Badalona’s Antoine Ortega, Jacob Pena of Erskine College, and Global M Málaga’s Nathan Rilloraza cap off those trying to earn a place on the middle of the pitch.
The forwards include erstwhile De La Salle Zobel star Andres Aldeguer, ADT’s Ivan Ouano, Miguel Mendoza, Mariano Suba Jr of Mendiola FC 1991, and United City’s Kieran Hayes. The other two goalkeepers include De La Salle University’s Enrico Mangaoang and Mendiola’s Jessie Semblante.
After taking charge of the Azkals in the Suzuki Cup a few months ago, Stewart Hall is named head coach and his backroom staff include Ernie Nierras of Stallion Laguna, JP Merida of Ateneo, former Kaya coach Noel Marcaida, and the legendary Norman Fegidero.
The team had its training camp enforced in a bio-secured bubble at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, and is currently wrapping up its preparations in Cambodia. It shall kickoff its campaign against Timor Leste on Monday at 4:00 PM.
