Dreams of tending PH’s goal in the World Cup

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge played a major part in the Philippine Azkals’ historic 1-0 win against Hong Kong during the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) international friendly held at the Mong Kok Stadium in Hong Kong last June 4.

He repeatedly denied Hong Kong’s offensive attacks, highlighted by a save against a penalty kick by Chan Siu Ki.

He was supposed to play in two more friendly matches for the Azkals before going back to Europe but the matches were cancelled. This afforded the goalkeeper a longer vacation as he hasn’t had any for the past three years.

Etheridge recently signed a contract for another year with English Premier League club Fulham FC with an option to extend for another year.

Cebu Daily News had a chance to chat with the 23-year-old goalie while he was still in Cebu for a vacation.

That game in Hong Kong, was that your best performance as part of the Philippine team so far?

“I was very happy with my performance. I had a point to prove to myself, my fans and family, coach as well. You know being left out of the Challenge Cup in March, I had a point to prove. I had to come back trying. Coach was very impressed with my acknowledgment of the team. Obviously in March, I wasn’t able to show what I could do but I had this opportunity against Hong Kong and hopefully I could prove to him that I’m still No.1. And you know, it might have worked I think.”

Were there some players that you haven’t played with in that match in Hong Kong?

“You know it’s always hard, who ever is in coach’s selection, who ever will be unable to come or injuries you know it’s hard to always pick one team that coach would like to play. There are players that we haven’t played with. I’ve been fortunate enough to be with the team for a long period of time now, I’ve played with everyone. There is obviously that lack of cohesion between the team if I’m honest. We had a great result against Hong Kong, so let’s not forget about that. If we have a longer period of time together, then I’m sure that we have a lot more to give.

Is it difficult travelling from England to the Philippines just to play a game?

“Yes and no. I mean I guess we get used to it you know we do it 5, 6, 7 times a year so we get quite used to the journey. It’s not easy, we have to basically adjust our sleeping patterns on the plane. If ever we arrived at night, we stay up in the flight. If we arrived in the morning, we try to sleep on the flight so we can play in that morning. We come in, we rest accordingly, we train, eat, sleep. It takes time to adjust, so it is not easy.

Will you be available for the Challenge Cup next year?

“The Challenge Cup next year, of course is another massive competition. Last year, we were unfortunate in the semifinals. We hope that next year, the next competition that we’ll be able to proceed and if we win, we go straight to the Asian Cup. Again, we’re making history for the Philippines, another great step forward. But for the availability of the European players including myself, we don’t know. You know Dan Palami tried his hardest to make them mark the competitions in the international dates, it’s kind of a tactic for them to put it not in international date purely for the fact that they know how strong we are if all players could come out from Europe.”

Is there anything else that you want to achieve as an Azkal?

“I just want to help the Philippines in general. Football is the type of sport that can take the whole country forward. It is not just a sport in town. Football is a sport that really brings the whole world together. The World Cup is such a big competition, it is probably the biggest competition barring the Olympics in the world. If we can get kind to that stage before the end of my career, I’ll die a happy man.

Will Fulham put you on a loan deal again?

“I really don’t know. I talked to the manager before I left, he offered me a new contract which I signed. He was very happy with that and he said to me that I’ll wait for a loan again and hopefully come back maybe in 2014, 2015 and compete for the no.1 spot at Fulham, which is very encouraging. So at this moment in time my mind is to go out and loan and play every week, but of course I’ll be ready whenever Fulham pulls me back. Unfortunately, my loan spell with Bristol Rovers wasn’t the longest, it was a great experience no matter what, Fulham pulled me back and I had to sit in the bench which was still a great experience. But I always like to play football, play every week so that would be a good step forward in my career if I can do that this year.”

How long is your new contract?

“My new contract is for one year with the option again for another year. For me, it’s just getting my head down and working hard this season, show them what I can do. I think the loan spell would definitely help that. I’m still, I would like to say, unproven at league level. I need to show everyone in the country what I could do at league level and just progress. Hopefully, I’ll be a proud Filipino playing in the premier league in a few years to come.