The Philippine Azkals U-23 team will face their counterparts from Singapore in an overseas friendly match tomorrow at Hougang Stadium in the Lion City as part of the preparation for the Myanmar Southeast Asian Games in December.
Eighteen players were named for the friendly as they get their first taste of action after months of quietly building up the squad.
Scottish-born mentor Brian Reid of Global FC will coach the Azkals U-23, who will try to erase the dismal showing in the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games where they finished fourth in the five-nation Group A.
Leading the way for the Azkals against Singapore are the Loyola Meralco Sparks’ Mark Hartmann, who has scored 13 goals in the United Football League season, Joshua Beloya of Global and Ceres FC, University of the Philippines striker Jinggoy Valmayor and La Salle goalie Patrick Deyto.
The rest of the team are Amani Manuel Aguinaldo, Ronnie Aguisanda, Fitch Johnson Arboleda, Paolo Bugas, Neil Dorimon, Raymark Fernandez, David Fornea, Carlo Liay, Angelo Marasigan, Nathan Octavio, Marco Poli, Deo Segunial, Jeremy James Theuer and Matt Uy.
A second friendly match between the two sides in the country are being planned next month.