PH names squad for crucial Asian Cup qualifier vs. Tajikistan

MANILA, June 1 ------ The Philippines on Tuesday named its squad for its upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Tajikistan. The Philippines will host Tajikistan in a Group A showdown at the New Clark City Stadium on June 10, where they will try to build on a 4-1 triumph against Maldives last March 25.

Among the notable names in the squad is Bundesliga veteran Gerrit Holtmann, who is tipped to play his first match on home soil after making his debut for the Philippines in 2022. Randy Schneider, who starred in the Filipinos' romp over Maldives, is also in the lineup, along with young star Sandro Reyes. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Andre Leipold has been called up for the first time. "Tajikistan made the quarterfinals of the last edition of the Asian Cup. They're the top seed in our group for a reason," said team manager Freddy Gonzalez. "But if we want to achieve our goal of qualification, these are the type of games we need to savor," he added. "We believe in the quality we have in our team and with the supporters behind us, we have the opportunity to achieve something special at home."

The full squad is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS:

Kevin Mendoza - GK - Persib Bandung (Indonesia 1st Division Champions)

Quincy Kammeraad - GK - Taguig FC (Philippines 1st Division)

Nicholas Guimaraes - GK - Funabashi High School

DEFENDERS:

Paul Tabinas - RB - Vukovar (Croatia 2nd Division)

Santi Rublico - RB - Collado Villalba (Spain 5th Division)

Amani Aguinaldo - CB - Rayong (Thai League 1)

Jesper Nyholm - CB - Prachaup (Thai League 1)

Jeff Tabinas - CB - Buriram United (Thai League 1, ASEAN Club Championship, FA Cup Champions)

Adrian Ugelvik - CB - Brattvag IL (Norway 3rd Division)

Josef Baccay - LB - Odds BK (Norway 2nd Division)

Scott Woods - LB - Boeung Ket (Cambodian Premier League)

MIDFIELDERS:

Sandro Reyes - CM - FC Gutersloh (German 4th Tier)

Manny Ott - CM - Terengganu (Malaysia Super League)

Zico Bailey - CM - New Mexico (USL)

Randy Schneider - CM - Winterthur (Swiss League 1)

John Lucero - CM - Rayong (Thai League 1)

Oskari Kekkonen - CM - Lamphung Warriors (Thai League 1)

ATTACKERS:

AndréLeipold - LW - Padrubice (Czech Republic 1st Division)

Dov Cariño - LW - Ateneo de Manila University (UAAP)

Gerrit Holtmann - RW - Unattached (Formerly VFL Bochum, Bundesliga)

Dylan DeMuynck - RW - Zulte Waregem (Belgium 2nd Division)

Bjorn Kristensen - FW - KFUM (Norway 1st Division)

Jarvey Gayoso - FW - Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia 1st Division Champions)

Tajikistan slipped past Timor-Leste, 1-0, in their match last March 25 to tie the Philippines at the top of Group A. Only the group winners in the third round of the qualification will claim spots to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com