YANTI Barsales, the oldest member of the Philippine Azkals, has quit the national men’s football team.
The 38-year-old Barsales, who first joined the national team in 1997, will no longer join the Azkals as they prepare for their home-and-away World Cup qualifying matches against Sri Lanka on June 29 and July 3.Team manager Dan Palami said Barsales informed him of his decision to quit the team last month. Palami said he asked him to reconsider, but Barsales stood firm.
“He is still an asset to the team even with his age. But, with the intense training that the Azkals are doing, and considering the other aspects in his family and life, he said it was better for him to do this and give others a chance to shine,” said Palami as the Azkals resumed their practices at the pitch of the Rizal Memorial track football stadium in Vito Cruz, Manila.
Palami added he hopes Barsales can still rejoin as the Azkals as part of the management staff.
Barsales sustained a nasty cut in the jaw and a shoulder injury when he saw action for the Azkals against Myanmar during the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup Group Stage in Rangoon last March.
Despite his absence, Barsales will continue playing for the Philippine Air Force team. Source
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