MidanaoToday.com | Success awaits PMNFT in a new era of PH football
By: Jack Biantan
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The new dawn of the Philippine Men’s National Football (PMNAFT) team has come as the Filipinos despite losing two matches in the Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia gave lots of hope to the long-time suffering Filipino football community.
The Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) dominated Tajikistan in their last assignment in the Merdeka Cup at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia settled for a scoreless draw in the end game only to suffer a 3-4 setback in the penalty shootout.
Four days ago the Filipinos also suffered a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat to host and eventual champion Malaysia despite scoring the first goal. They were also denied by a lackluster-performing referee of two clear penalties to go home without a win.
Legendary Negrense coach Nonoy Fegidero, now the interim coach of the PMNFT, deserves all the pat as he is responsible for assembling and training this squad on short notice.
Jefferson Tabinas, who scored the Filipinos’ goal in the match against Malaysia missed his shot while Jarvey Gayoso also failed to hit the back of the net.
Paul Tabinas, Alex Monis, and Alex Rontini hit their targets but those were not enough to bring Filipinos to victory.
We give credit to the coaching staff especially Coach Nonoy for doing an amazing job in handling the team despite the short notice. (The PFF has officially announced the next head coach of the PMNFT replacing Nonoy Fegidero. See separate story later.)
Long-time starting goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was missing in the game against Tajikistan and Kevin Mendoza deservingly filled in shoes. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) did not comment of the absence of Neil in the line-up.
However, despite the absence of Etheridge, replacement goalkeeper Kevin Mendoza was dynamic and excellent between the sticks except in the penalties where he stopped only one shot.
Neil Etheridge, who now plies his wares with Burinam United in Thailand, has served the PMNFT since 2008 and has 82 caps tucked in his belt.
Anytime he might announce his international retirement. Kevin Rey Mendoza, who plays for Persia Bandung FC in West Java Indonesia, will be a fitting replacement.
This team is solid at the back with veteran Amani Aguinaldo marshaling the defense. Brothers Jefferson Tabinas and Paul Tabinas were revelations in their left-back and right-back positions.
These defensive brothers have sealed both positions because of their strength and solid bodies which they inherited from their Ghanian father.
They honed their skills in Japan where they were born and raised by their Filipino mother. Jefferson plays for Burinam United in Thailand while Paul for the Croatian Club Vukovar.
The Tabinas brothers’ skills at the back are impressive as they managed to start the offensive build-up once they got the ball and pass it well to the midfield or to the wings.
Sandro Reyes, a one-time Barcelona Academy player, is the key person in the middle. The 21-year-old now plays for the German club Gutersloh in North Rhine Westphalia and marshals the middle like the legendary desert fox Erwin Rommel.
Phil American Alex Monis was very effective at the wing. The Chicago-born but New England Revolution (Major League Soccer) frontman crosses were on accurate. They just lack finishing from the strikers to secure goals.
Monis’s work rate was also above average as he was always ready to cover Paul Tabinas at the back.
What this team lacks are good strikers who can finish and win the matches for the country. We have not yet found a striker like Phil Younghusband.
Dylan Demuynck, Patrick Reichelt, Jarvey Gayoso, and Martin Kristensen lead the PMNFT up front. But they have to step up in the next matches as they did not score any goals in those two matches.
Local boys Uriel Dalapo for Davao Aguilas and JB Borlongan of Cebu FC deserve their call-ups although they had limited exposure.
Both were quick and effective against the bigger but slower defenders. We expect both players to play more matches for the PMNFT in the future.
This group deserves more call-ups in the coming international tournaments. (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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