Greatwich heads SEA Games aspirants

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—The Philippines is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations for the Southeast Asian Games as it bids to land a first medal in the men’s football competition slated in the Indonesian cities of Palembang and Jakarta.
With five months to go before the Games, the Under-23 squad began training yesterday at the PhilSports pitch with 20 aspirants showing up led by veteran international Simon Greatwich as well as former national team players Yannick Tuason, Mark Ferrer, Chris Camcam, David Basa, Jerry Barbaso and the returning Matthew Hartmann.
In the runup to the biennial competition, the Under-23 squad will also see action in a five-nation pre-SEA Games tournament next month in Jakarta.
Aside from the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia are also fielding teams in the tournament, according to Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
The team is awaiting the arrival of veteran German coach Erich Rutemoller, who will serve as team consultant as Azkals coach Michael Weiss focuses on the senior squad now training in Germany for its
World Cup qualifying match against Sri Lanka.