Monday, May 12, 2008 4 Negros booters make it to RP XI By Henry C. Villalva
ONLY four Negrense hopefuls made it to the final lineup of the RP men's national team for the 2008 Asian Challenge Cup Group 2 Qualifiers that reels off May 13-20 in Iloilo.
The four are Manila-based keeper and Bago City native Edward Sacapaño, midfielder Robert Cañedo, defender Lemuel Unabia and forward Joven Bedic.
The final lineup was announced by RP team head coach and former national team mainstay Norman Fegidero, Jr. last Saturday to members of media in a press conference.
The others who made the final cut for the 23-man lineup are towering Fil-British newcomer Neil Etheridge, an 18-year old reserve goalie from Fulham in the English Premier League who impressed Fegidero when he started joining workouts with the training team at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo early last week.
Also back with the team are Fil-British siblings Phil and Chris Greatwich, a fullback and midfielder, respectively; Fil-British midfielders Phil and James Younghusband, Fil-Am Anton del Rosario, and Ali Borromeo, fullbacks; Fil-British forward Chad Gould, winger Ian Araneta and midfielder Emelio 'Chippy' Caligdong, who was named team captain by the coaching staff.
Among the Negrenses who failed to make it to the final lineup were veteran RP team keeper Edmundo Mercado, Jr. and defender Joel Ballo-allo who joined striker Meliton Pelayo and defender Antonio Albor Jr.
Fegidero said during the press conference the players were informed of the decision last Thursday. "All of them were told the decision on the final lineup was made to form the best team for the Asian Challenge Cup and all of them understood," Fegidero told Sun.Star Bacolod in a text message Sunday.
Bedic, Cañedo and Unabia, mainstays of reigning NOPSSCEA champion West Negros University which Fegidero mentors, are making their debut with the national team.
Known by their moniker - the RP Azkals - the nationals kick off their campaign in the Asian Challenge Cup on May 13, Tuesday, against Brunei. They take on reigning Asian Challenge Cup titlist Tajikistan on Thursday, May 15, before winding up their stint against Bhutan on May 17.
The group 2 topnotcher earns a slot in the main draw of this Asian Football Confederation (AFC) calendared event slated June 30 to August 10 in Hyderabad, India.
